PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball team found the range from deep and didn't stop shooting, hitting a historic 19 three-pointers on their way to an 85-62 win over the Texas College Steers Saturday afternoon on the Gene Rushing Court at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
 
The 19 made threes by Louisiana Christian (6-17, 4-13 RRAC) is the most in a single game in at least a decade. Meanwhile, Texas College (3-19, 2-15 RRAC) hit 19 field goals for the entire contest, only three of which were three-pointers.
 
The hot hand in the first half was Jalani Bell, who sank five triples over the first 20 minutes. On the game's first possession, he showed how things would go, hitting a three to give the Wildcats the early lead. LCU pushed the lead out to seven points early as Bell hit another three to make it 16-7 LCU six minutes into the contest.
 
However, the Steers rallied, going on a 13-2 run to claim their first lead of the contest at 20-18 before a three by Tomario Thomas, Jr. put the Wildcats back in front. A Texas College three answered as the Steers went back in front, only for Joshua Escheik to put one in from deep, putting LCU in front to stay.
 
The three by Escheik started a 14-1 Wildcat run which gave LCU its first double digit lead of the day as Bryce Weinmunson connected from deep to make it 35-24. The advantage grew to 14 three times over the half's final few minutes with Drew Tebbe getting to the rim right before the buzzer for a lay-up as the Wildcats took a 44-30 lead at the break.
 
LCU's advantage slowly grew out of the half. Leading by 12, a Tebbe three was followed by two shots from long range by Weinmunson to push the advantage over 20 for the first time at 63-42.
 
The game's largest lead came with 2:24 left in it as Sam Wren hit a free throw, making it a 26-point lead at 83-57.
 
Justice Kelly picked up his fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds. He was a perfect nine-for-nine from the field, one of which was from deep. He also had an assist and blocked a shot.
 
Weinmunson also had 21 points, hitting seven three-points in 10 attempts from beyond the arc. He grabbed four rebounds, dished out two assists, and came up with two steals.
 
Bell scored all 15 of his points in the first half, hitting five threes. He also had five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
Tebbe ended the day with 12 points on a couple made threes. He dished out nine assists and collected three rebounds.
 
Thomas, Jr. came off the bench and hit all three shot attempts he took, two of which were from outside, on his way to eight points.
 
LCU hit 48.4 percent from the field in the contest, including 54.3 percent from deep on their historic day.
 
The Wildcats look to extend their first win streak of the season on Monday as they head to New Orleans to take on Xavier in a game which was previously postponed due to the recent winter weather. Tip-off of Monday's contest against the Gold Rush (15-8, 11-6 RRAC) is set for 7:30 p.m. at Xavier's Convocation Center.