Louisiana Christian made the most of its first weeknight doubleheader since last season in H.O. West Fieldhouse, with a couple of hard-fought Red River Athletic Conference basketball wins Thursday night over Paul Quinn.
The LCU teams are home again Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. women’s game, 3 p.m. men’s contest) against Southwestern (New Mexico) in their last action before 2025.
Until Saturday, LCU hadn’t played in H.O. West Fieldhouse since last February when a Xavier dunk brought down one of the goals. Home games in the meantime were played at area high schools and LSUA.
LSU WOMEN 54, PAUL QUINN 51: Jakiya Thompson scored just one basket, but it was a big one. Her layup with 14 seconds left pushed the Wildcats on top to stay, 52-51, and two DaKayla Howard free throws with five seconds to go provided cushion. The visitors missed a tying 3-point try at the final buzzer.
Princes Goff led Louisiana Christian (3-8, 3-6 Red River) with 21 points and 11 rebounds, her fourth double-double of the season and 11th in her career. Two teammates, Kylei Leblanc and Deja Tanks, also collected 11 rebounds to help the winners own a 47-36 advantage on the glass.
Paul Quinn (6-6, 5-4 Red River) got a game-high 25 points by Canai McPherson. She and Goff were the only double-digit scorers.
The Wildcats survived five lead changes and three ties in the fourth quarter. After McPherson gave Paul Quinn its final lead with 41 seconds remaining, LCU called time out and patiently worked for the go-ahead basket, which came with three seconds left on the shot clock.
McPherson committed a turnover on the visitors’ next possession and Howard was fouled after getting the ball, giving her two free throws.
LCU MEN 75, PAUL QUINN 67: Hot shooting and good defense after halftime carried the Wildcats, who sank 7 of 14 on 3-pointers while outscoring the visitors by 12 in the final 20 minutes.
Devin Carter led four double-digit scorers from LCU with 20 points, going 7-for-7 at the line. It was his third 20-point outing in the last four games.
Bryce Weinmunson contributed 15 points and had season-highs for rebounds (7), field goals (6), and assists (4), going 6-of-10 overall including 3-for-4 from distance and adding three steals.
Jon’Quarius McGhee added 12 points and Drew Tebbe scored 10 in the win.
Chukwuemeke Nwaoshai snatched a game-best 10 rebounds for the ‘Cats, 4-9 overall and 3-6 in the RRAC. Paul Quinn fell to 2-10, 2-7 despite 25 points by Norris Williams.