EUNICE — The LSU Eunice men’s basketball team recorded its first playoff win in program history on Monday night inside the HPRE Center. LSUE defeated visiting Hinds Community College 83-67 in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSUE set the tone from jump as the Bengals began the game on a 14-0 run.
Isaiah Payne set the tone by making the first two buckets, including a long-range two-point shot. After that, Magok Manyang began to establish his presence by draining a three-pointer, then followed by a put back bucket and then a three-pointer at the top of the key.
LSUE’s Alonzo Linton then swiped the ball past midcourt and put down the slam dunk which caused Hinds to call its second timeout.
Hinds didn’t make its first field goal until Damarion Arrington’s long jumper with 14:44 left in the first half. The Bulldogs did fight back and cut the Bengals’ lead down to single digits.
LSUE though responded and closed out the half strong and held a 46-29 lead at the break.
A little more than five minutes into the second half, Hinds cut it down to 53-43 after Kyle Hayman hit a three-pointer. LSUE answered with a quick bucket underneath the basket.
Hinds once again made it a nine-point game after a three-pointer by Treylan Smith. After a timeout by coach Byron Starks, the Bengals answered as Jordan Hayes hit a long-range jumper to make it a 11-point game again.
LSUE would maintain its double-digit lead for the remainder of the second half, on their way to the program’s first playoff victory.
BIG NUMBER: 9
LSUE had nine players score in Monday night’s playoff victory and had four players score in double figures.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: ISAIAH PAYNE & MAGOK MANYANG
Payne scored 14 points of his 22 points in the first half while Manyang scored 15 of his 22 points from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT: LSUE (18-6) advances to the NJCAA Region 23 Quarterfinals and will travel to take on East Mississippi Community College on Tuesday night. Tip is set for 6 p.m.