PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball program made numerous attempts to claw its way into the contest after falling into a deep early hole, but a season-most 27 fouls gave Huston-Tillotson too many chances to ice the game at the free throw line, taking the match by an 81-74 tally.
 
The Basics: 
  

• Score
  • Huston-Tillotson – 81
  • Louisiana Christian – 74

 

• Records
  • Louisiana Christian (3-12, 1-8 Red River)
  • Huston-Tillotson (5-11, 3-7 Red River)

 

• Location
  • Pineville, Louisiana – H.O. West Fieldhouse

  

• Series History (Since 2007-08)
  • Series Tied 2-2 (50%)

 

• Winning Streak (Since 2007-08)
  • Huston-Tillotson (W1) | Louisiana Christian's Last Win: February 20, 2023 (59-49)

 
Wildcats Top Performers: 
 

• Gary Smith did not have the shooters' touch from distance on the night, but the resourceful guard still got his points from a different approach, making each of his career-high 11 opportunities from the charity stripe on his way to toppling his personal points record once again at a contest/career-best 29. He also collected five dimes and a pair of steals.

 

• Jude Akabueze logged a season/game-most 14 rebounds as well as putting up 11 points for his fifth double-double of 2023-24 and 14th overall to go along with his second multi-block outing of the year and a 45.5% field goal percentage (5-of-11).

 

• Konnor DeJean has become the ultimate role model for making an impact without scoring, lending out a career benchmark number of assists at eight in addition to grabbing a career-high five boards.

 

• Braedyn Ellison finally got on the scoreboard as a collegiate ballplayer, dropping his first seven points of his freshman campaign over 14 minutes including his lone try from downtown.

 
Notes:
 

• Since joining the Red River Athletic Conference, the two hoops squads have alternated wins, dropping the only contest in Austin while going 2-1 on "The Hill".

 

• A trigger-happy HTU club continuously bombed away at the basket with reckless abandon and the Cats' defense stood tall, surrendering a yearly-best for three-pointers allowed (3) and three-point percentage defense (16.7%, 3-for-18).

 
Next:
  

• LCU will look to play the "Devil's Advocate" as the Saints from Our Lady of the Lake come marching into town on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff.

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