STAFFORD, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball program transitioned a vicious block from Jude Akabueze into a 13-0 run to pull within five (62-57) at the 6:45 mark in the second half, but the upstart North American Stallions regained their footing enough to hold off the charge for a 77-66 victory.
 
The Basics: 
  

• Score
  • North American – 77
  • Louisiana Christian – 66

 

• Records
  • Louisiana Christian (3-10, 1-6 Red River)
  • North American (6-7, 5-2 Red River)

 

• Location
  • Stafford, Texas – Stafford High School Gymnasium

  

• Series History (Since 2007-08)
  • North American Leads 1-0 (0%)

 

• Winning Streak (Since 2007-08)
  • North American (W1) | Louisiana Christian's Last Win: N/A

 
Wildcats Top Performers: 
 

• Gary Smith exploded for a career night as he was relied on for a career/game-high 27 points, six three-pointers, and a season-best nine field goals while shooting 56.3% from the floor (9-of-16) and 75% from distance (6-for-8).

 

            * The Xavier (Louisiana) transfer scored more points (27) than minutes played (25) while being responsible for 40.9% of the Wildcats' 66 on the scoreboard.
 

• Akabueze put together his second straight double-double, his fourth in the past five games, and his 13th over 44 career contests, hauling in a team-most 11 boards (six on offense) plus 16 points during a 7-for-10 (70%) shooting night.

 

• D'Marcus Fugett led the Cats in assists as he dished out a career-best five with a matching number of points while Branthony Brown recorded a personal-record three field goals en route to a 2023-24 most six points.

 
Notes:
 

• The free throw discrepancy was enormous between the Stallions and Wildcats as NAU made a season-high 26 free throws compared to LCU netting a season-low seven freebies.

 

• Since the men from Stafford only started their athletics program a few seasons prior and this is the debut year in the Red River, this was the first matchup with many to come between the two hardwood hoops clubs.

 
Next:
  

• The 21st-ranked Gold Rush from Xavier are next on the docket as the Cats bus down to the Big Easy for a 4 p.m. Saturday showdown on Wild Card Weekend.

 
Follow the men's basketball program on Twitter/X (@LCU_MBSK) and Instagram (@LCU.MBB).
 
Follow the Wildcats on Facebook (@LCUAthletics), Twitter/X (@LCU_Wildcats) and Instagram (@LCU_Wildcats).