By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
For the first time this season, both Centenary basketball teams are coming off a win as St. Thomas visits the Gold Dome for a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader tonight (5:30 women, 7:30 men).
The Gents (11-3, 5-1) have taken their last two since that bitter 68-67 loss Dec. 17 at Texas Lutheran, which halted an eight-game win streak. But for the Ladies, their last outing, a 68-62 homecourt victory over Austin College on Dec. 31, was their first W of the year. Now they’re 1-14 overall, 1-5 in the league, and have a real shot at starting a winning streak. St. Thomas is 2-11.
It’s the first competition in 11 days for the Centenary teams.
MEN
LSUS: The Pilots notched a milestone Jan. 3 when they nipped Louisiana Christian 81-78 at The Doc. It was career win No. 240 for coach Kyle Blankenship at LSUS, topping the school mark of 239 by Chad McDowell. The Pilots (12-3, 6-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference) got 23 points from Tyler Washington, who sank 10 of 12 from the field including a trio of treys, and Jalen Brooks added 22.
Next game: The Pilots start a three-game road string at Texas College Wednesday night.
BOSSIER PARISH CC: The Cavaliers are still playing away from home while the new design on the playing court at Billy Montgomery Gym is completed. In their latest outing, five scored in double digits, led by Elijah Beard with 17 points and six assists in a 95-90 victory at Victoria College in a Region XIV contest. Taking its fourth in the last five outings, BPCC (9-6) got another double-double from Christian Caldwell, whose 12 points and 13 rebounds was the fourth tandem stat outing for him this season.
Next game: Wednesday, “at home” at LSUS’ The Dock, at 5:30 vs. Lamar State College-Port Arthur (7-9).
CENTENARY: Seth Thomas won SCAC Player of the Week honors after the latest two victories by the Gents (90-70 over Dallas, 82-71 past Austin College). The Gents have won 31 of their last 38 in the Gold Dome, going 8-1 at home this season.
Next games: It’s a home week for Centenary. After tonight’s outing against St. Thomas, the Gents host Colorado College Friday evening at the Gold Dome.
WOMEN
CENTENARY: Woodlawn sophomore forward Alana Jones won conference player of the week honors after averaging 9.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in the Ladies’ last two outings. She is second in the SCAC in rebounding. In their breakthrough 68-62 victory over visiting Austin College, the Ladies forced 21 turnovers and made only seven, topped the Lady Kangaroos 24-4 in bench points, and outscored the visitors 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
Next games: This evening at 5:30 against St. Thomas in the Gold Dome, then the same tip time Friday night at home against Colorado College.
LSUS: The Lady Pilots (11-4, 5-2) also have a reigning player of the week winner. Destanee Roblow had a pair of double-double outings in the last two wins for LSUS, including an 89-80 overtime victory over Southwest. She had 29 rebounds combined in the two contests, starting with a 67-60 decision over Louisiana Christian.
Next game: A three-game stretch away from home starts Wednesday at Texas College.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com