PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball team got 17 points from Justice Kelly but a tough shooting night dealt the Wildcats a 71-54 loss to the Xavier Gold Rush Thursday evening on the Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
 
Louisiana Christian (4-14, 2-10 RRAC) struggled to connect, especially in the second half where the Wildcats hit 32 percent from the field. At game's end, LCU was shooting at a 37.7 percent clip. For its part, Xavier (12-5, 9-3 RRAC) shot at or better than 50 percent in both halves, finishing at 50.9 percent overall in the contest.
 
Kelly finished the game hitting six of his 12 shot attempts, including one-of-three from three-point range, for his 17 points. He also grabbed four rebounds and gave out an assist.
 
Bryce Weinmunson was seven-of-10 from the field to finish with 16 points. He came up with four steals off the Gold Rush and doled out a trio of assists.
 
Ja'Vonte Thomas led LCU on the glass with six rebounds while also blocking three shots.
 
Drew Tebbe had a team-high four assists and scored seven points.
 
The Wildcats wrap up their four-game homestand a day earlier than anticipated as winter weather forced LCU to move its game against North American to Friday. Tip-off of Friday's contest against the Stallions (9-6, 7-6 RRAC) is set for 7:30 p.m. on Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.