PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball team got the second career double-double from Justice Kelly, but a tough first half was too much to overcome in a 67-59 loss to the North Texas-Dallas Trailblazers Thursday night at Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
 
Louisiana Christian (4-12, 2-8 RRAC) had a quick spurt to start the game. After UNT-Dallas (6-9, 5-6 RRAC) scored the game's first two points, the Wildcats went on an 8-1 run to go up 8-3 with Bryce Weinmunson carving up the Trailblazer defense in those early minutes. Weinmunson scored eight of LCU's first 10 points in the contest.
 
Leading 20-15 with 10 minutes left in the first half, the Wildcats hit a funk as UNT-Dallas went on a 29-7 run to take a 44-27 lead with less than a minute remaining before halftime. Kelly scored at the halftime horn to make it 44-29 Trailblazers at the break.
 
The UNT-Dallas peaked at 18 points, hitting that mark several times in the early moments of the second half, the last time coming at 53-35 with 12:35 left in the contest.
 
A three-pointer by Zaydrien Sewell on LCU's ensuing possession kicked off a 17-5 Wildcat run, capped by Weinmunson finding Tomario Thomas, Jr. in transition and Thomas burying a three-pointer of his own to cut the deficit down to 57-52 with 6:30 remaining.
 
The Wildcats got as close as four points twice in the game's closing moments, the last as Weinmunson got the ball inside to Corey Lombard, Jr., who laid the ball in to make it 62-58 with 1:45 left. Even with UNT-Dallas not hitting a field goal for the game's final 3:15, the comeback was not to be as the Wildcats went cold once again and the Trailblazers closed it out at the line, hitting five of their six free throw attempts inside the last minute.
 
Kelly notched his double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, his second of the season and second in the last three games. He also came up with a team-high five steals in the game.
 
Weinmunson scored 14 points while grabbing four rebounds, dishing out four assists, and coming up with a steal.
 
Lombard, Jr. ended the night with 12 points, five rebounds, blocked two shots, and had an assist.
 
The Wildcats continue their four-game homestand Saturday as the University of the Southwest makes the trip from Hobbs, N.M. to Pineville. Tip-off of Saturday's contest against the Mustangs (4-13, 1-10 RRAC) is set for 3 p.m. on Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.