PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball team got a game-winning shot from Bryce Weinmunson with 30 seconds left and the defense held on for a 67-63 win over the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs Thursday night on Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
 
Louisiana Christian (5-17, 3-13 RRAC) held the lead for most of the contest. With the game tied at 2-2 in the early going, Justice Kelly's three-pointer started a 7-0 run with Ja'Vonte Thomas's put back giving the Wildcats a 9-2 lead just more than three minutes into the contest.
 
Jarvis Christian (9-12, 6-11 RRAC) took its first lead with eight minutes left at 19-18, a lead that would get up to five points at 27-22 with 5:30 remaining in the half.
 
But a three-pointer by Joshua Escheik sent the Wildcats on a 14-0 run to close the half as Nathaniel LaFleur's three with less than 30 seconds left putting LCU up 36-27 at the break.
 
The run continued into the second half as Jalani Bell hit a three to open the in the period, making it a 17-0 LCU run to expand the lead to 39-27. LCU's lead peaked at 14 points as Kelly hit a three-pointer which made the score 46-32 Wildcats with 16 minutes left.
 
But Jarvis had a big answer, scoring the next 13 points to get back within one at 46-45 with 11:30 showing on the clock. Free throws by Weinmunson and Kelly slowed the run momentarily, but the Bulldogs would reclaim the lead shortly after, setting up a frantic final nine minutes to the finish.
 
Over the final four minutes, neither team led by more than one possession. With LCU trailing 63-62 and just less than a minute left, Weinmunson stepped into a mid-range jumper from the left wing and sank it, putting the Wildcats back ahead by one.
 
After forcing a missed three-pointer on the other end, Drew Tebbe was fouled and made both free throws to extend the lead up to three. JCU's final two attempts to tie it were off the mark and cleared by the Wildcats. Bell hit one of two at the stripe with six seconds left to put the game out of reach and secure the win.
 
Bell had a nearly perfect game, hitting all seven of his field goal attempts, five of which were from beyond the arc, and was one-of-two at the free throw line for a season-high 20 points. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out an assist.
 
Kelly was six-of-12 from the field, two-of-four from deep, and made all three of his free throws on his way to 17 points. He secured six boards, gave out a pair of assists, and blocked a shot.
 
Weinmunson was five-of-eight from the field and hit a key three-pointer as he finished with 16 points. He also had four rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
 
LCU had one of its best shooting nights, hitting 52.3 percent from the field overall and 50 percent from deep in the win. The Wildcat defense held Jarvis Christian to 40 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from above the arc.
 
The Wildcats return home Saturday as Texas College comes to Pineville. Tip-off of Saturday's contest against the Steers (3-18, 2-14 RRAC) is set for 3 p.m. on Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.