EUNICE — The LSU Eunice Bengals tipped off the 2021 season with a resounding victory inside the HPRE Center.
LSUE raced out to an early lead, made 17 three-pointers and cruised to a 135-79 win over visiting North American University on Friday night.
How It Happened:
LSUE’s Jonathan Cisse ignited the scoring early as the former St. Thomas More star drove in the lane and dropped in the two-point floater. Theirno Keita then drained a three-pointer from atop the key and the Bengals were off and running.
By the time Jaidon Lipscomb made a three-pointer off of a mid-court steal, LSUE had built up a 32-10 lead with 10:03 left in the first half. Keita would put the exclamation point on the first half with hitting a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
At the break, LSUE held a 69-34 advantage.
The Bengals continued their hot shooting in the second half as they outscored the Stallions 66-45. LSUE would empty its bench as 15 different players scored at least one bucket in the 56-point victory.
Big Number: 17
LSUE made 17 three-pointers in Friday’s season opener as five different Bengals drained at least two threes in the victory. Joshua Davis made 4-of-6 while Lipscomb hit 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Players of the Game: Jonathan Cisse & Isaiah Payne & Jaidon Lipscomb
Cisse scored a game-high 18 points and a game-high 5 assists for the Bengals. Payne meanwhile chipped in 17 points and 4 rebounds, and Lipscomb also had 17 points and a game-high 3 steals.
Up Next: LSUE (1-0) returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts East Texas Baptist University JV. Tip is set for 6 p.m.