AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's men's basketball team claimed one of its biggest wins in recent memory Saturday as the Rams took down previously-undefeated Our Lady of the Lake by a score of 75-66.
At HT's Branch Gymnasium, the Rams handed the visiting Saints their first loss in 11 games this season and gave
John A. Smith a big win in his first season as HT's head men's basketball coach. OLLU (10-1, 6-1 RRAC) was ranked No. 20 in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll and was one of six remaining undefeated teams in the NAIA.
"This was a signature win to defeat nationally-ranked and undefeated team," Smith said after the game. "And we're still building. We're going to get better every single practice and every single game. We've got a good group of student-athletes that are going to continue to represent this institution well."
Jackson Byas came off the HT bench to score a career-high 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting to lead four Rams in double-figures.
Charles Hallmon turned in his fourth consecutive double-double performance as he scored 14 points and hauled in 14 rebounds.
Jayce Wright and
Khuath Gatkuoth scored 12 points apiece for the Rams (2-7, 2-5 RRAC). Wright was 4-of-5 from the field and pulled in seven rebounds, while Gatkuoth scored 10 points in the second half after picking up three fouls early in the first half.
The Rams' aggressive defense limited OLLU to 36 percent shooting (22 of 61) from the field in the game. The only OLLU player to make more shots than he missed was Lonzo Rand, who scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Without Rand's shooting line, the Saints shot 29 percent from the floor.
HT led for more than 37 minutes of Saturday's game. OLLU took its last lead with a layup from Rand with 16:51 remaining in the game to give the Saints a 38-37 lead, but the Rams then responded with a 7-0 run to build their advantage back up to six points.
Though the Saints kept it close for most of the second half, the Rams seemingly had an answer every time their guests made it a one possession game. HT shot 52 percent (15 of 29) from the floor in the second half, and 49 percent (30 of 61) for the game.
The Rams were able to pull away late when they took their first 10-point lead with barely three minutes remaining in the contest.
HT's victory was named the men's basketball Upset of the Week by the NAIA Hoops Report.
The win Saturday prepares the Rams for their upcoming Red River Athletic Conference road trip to ranked LSU–Alexandria and perennial power LSU–Shreveport this week. The Rams visit LSU–Alexandria, currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA, on Thursday, Dec. 12. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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