JOURNAL SPORTS

PINEVILLE – Tenacious defense set the tone Saturday as the LSUS women’s basketball team stayed on pace for a showdown for the lead in the Red River Athletic Conference with a convincing 69-49 win at Louisiana Christian.

The Pilots held the Wildcats to just 29.5 percent from the court, 22.2 percent on 3-pointers, and 61.1 percent at the line. The outcome kept LSUS on pace for a Tuesday evening collision with unbeaten Xavier in New Orleans as the RRAC’s top two teams meet for the second time. Xavier posted a 65-62 triumph in Shreveport on Dec. 2.

Saturday, LSUS (16-3, 15-1 Red River) took command by outscoring LCU 20-5 in the second quarter for a 38-19 halftime lead.

Vicky Parra led the way for LSUS with 12 points and four steals. Racheal Emmanuel posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds while adding three swipes. Selma Markisic facilitated the offense with five assists. Paula Gonzalez Herrero led the Pilots with five steals.

Louisiana Christian (6-12, 6-10 Red River) was topped by Princis Goff with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. MaKayla Price scored 11.

LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN MEN 93, LSUS 79: Captain Shreve graduate and former Evangel coach Reni Mason’s Wildcats completed a season sweep of the Pilots for the first time this century by prevailing at H.O. West Fieldhouse. It was the seventh win in eight games for LCU in Mason’s fifth season as head coach.

LCU posted season highs for points (93), field goals (37), field goal percentage (53.6), and assists (25).

Tyler Washington scored a game-high 28 for LSUS (12-8, 9-7 Red River). Taj Anderson added 14, Davion Coleman 13 and Trey Boston 10 for the Pilots.

Devin Carter led the Wildcats with 22 points while adding five assists. Omarion Layssard, a sophomore, had a huge game for Louisiana Christian (10-10, 9-7 Red River) with a collegiate-best 19 points.