Strong second half vaults Louisiana Christian past Rams

PINEVILLE, La. – A strong second half by Louisiana Christian lifted the host Wildcats past Huston-Tillotson University's basketball team Saturday as the home team defeated the Rams 74-57.
 
HT's Charles Hallmon posted his sixth double-double of the season, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and hauling in 12 rebounds to lead the Rams (4-13, 4-11 RRAC). Malkeyce Harris added a season-high 11 points off the Rams' bench.
 
Devin Carter scored 18 points to lead four LCU (9-9, 8-6 RRAC) players scoring 11 points or more in the game.
 
The teams were tied at 25-25 going into halftime. LCU gradually pulled away in the second half as the Wildcats scored 49 points in the final 20 minutes; the 'Cats shot 57.1 percent (16 of 28) from the floor after halftime.
 
Cade Holzman scored seven points for the Rams, while Ja'Patrick Blackmon, Blake Fisher, and Braelon Seals scored five points apiece for Huston-Tillotson.
 
Despite the loss, the Rams are still in contention for one of the eight berths into the postseason Red River Athletic Conference tournament. HT sits two and a half games behind eighth-place Jarvis Christian, whom the Rams have not yet faced and will be HT's Homecoming opponent on Feb. 22. The Rams are a half-game behind Texas College, a team HT defeated in Austin in December.
 
The Rams return to action Saturday, Jan. 25, when they visit the greater Houston area to face North American University. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. at Stafford High School's gymnasium and will begin 20 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game between the two schools.

– HT –