By Alan Wiederhold
LETU Sports Information

PINEVILLE, La. – The No. 17 ranked Louisiana College Lady Wildcats led from start to finish as they defeated LeTourneau 75-44 Saturday in spite of a record-breaking performance from the Jackets' De'Shante Thomas.

Thomas (Whitehouse, Texas/Whitehouse), a 6-foot-3-inch freshman post, set a LeTourneau  record by grabbing 22 rebounds – 10 offensive, 12 defensive – in addition to scoring 10 points and blocking five shots.

The previous LeTourneau record for rebounds in a game was held by Rhonda Richardson, who recorded 20 rebounds against the University of Massachusetts-Boston on Jan. 3, 2000.

Thomas etched her name in the LeTourneau record books when she secured the carom from teammate Bailey Moon's 3-point attempt with 1:07 remaining in the game.

The freshman from Whitehouse has already flirted with history several times this season. On two occasions, Thomas has blocked six shots in a game, one away from the school record in that category.

With five blocked shots Saturday, Thomas now owns three of the top four games for blocked shots in LeTourneau women's basketball history.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 17 in the d3hoops.com poll, were led by Tillisha Givens, who scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Janet Butler scored 14 points for Louisiana College.

The win kept Louisiana College (18-1) in first place in the American Southwest Conference's East Division with a 14-1 league record.

LeTourneau (2-19, 1-15 ASC East) was paced by 11 points from Megan McGuire (Hallsville, Texas/Hallsville). McGuire also added three assists.

LeTourneau's home contest against UT-Tyler, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed after recent winter storms altered the Patriots' travelling schedule.

The YellowJackets will return to action Saturday, Feb. 12 when they host East Texas Baptist. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.