LONGVIEW, Texas – Natosha Gottlieb scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead three Louisiana College players in double-figures as the nationally-ranked Wildcats defeated LeTourneau 88-55 Saturday.
The Wildcats – ranked No. 23 in the nation by d3hoops.com – handed LeTourneau its first home loss since Dec. 3, ending a seven-game home winning streak for the Jackets at Solheim Arena.
Sharday Cotton (Mansfield, La./LSU-Shreveport) scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds Saturday to lead the YellowJackets.
Meg McGuire (Hallsville, Texas/Hallsville) scored nine points for LeTourneau, followed by Alexis Wighaman (Porter, Texas/New Caney) and La'Queda Davis (Houston, Texas/Waltrip), who scored six points apiece for the Jackets.
LeTourneau (11-8, 7-8 ASC) remained in fourth place in the American Southwest Conference's East Division as fifth-place UT Tyler remained a full game behind after losing at home to Mississippi College.
Melody Criswell scored 15 points and Neka Jones added 10 points for Louisiana College (16-2, 13-1 ASC), which won its eighth consecutive contest.
A deep and talented team, the Wildcats used their athleticism to wear down LeTourneau; Louisiana College was frequently able to sub in five new players every one or two minutes of game time. In all, 15 different players scored for the Wildcats.
The Jackets held their own during the early stages of their first half, and even led 13-11 nine minutes into the game. However, LC's athleticism and hockey-style line changes eventually caught up to the Jackets, as the Wildcats outscored LeTourneau 29-10 over the last 11 minutes of to take a 40-23 halftime lead.
Louisiana College continued to impose its will in the second half, as the Jackets were unable to pull to within single digits. LeTourneau, did, however, finish the contest on a 9-0 run.
The Jackets were outshot for only the fifth time this season as they shot only 28 percent (18 of 64) for the game; Louisiana College shot 39 percent (30 of 77) from the floor.
The YellowJackets aim to return to their winning ways Thursday when they travel to Clinton, Miss., to face Mississippi College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.