Box Score POPLARVILLE, Miss. – After leading for nearly the entire game, a last second shot dealt LSU Eunice a 67-66 heartbreaking loss to East Mississippi CC at the Wildcat Classic on Monday. The Bengals (6-1) fell for the first time this season.
Jakorie Smith's floater with less than five seconds remaining would give the Lions the lead. A
Tyrone Hugue (Mansfield, TX, Lake Ridge HS) desperation half-court heave would fall short. That sequence ended a frantic final minute that would see LSUE take a 66-63 lead after a
Mamady Djikine (Paris, France, Lee Academy (ME)) hook shot, a Bengal blocked shot and
Michael Smith Jr. (Lafayette, LA, Comeaux HS) jumper.
After EMCC would get an errant blocked shot attempt to bang in off the glass, an offensive charge call on
Jevon Berry (Arnaudville, LA, Cecilia HS) would give the Lions the ball for their final shot.
LSU Eunice would lead by as many as ten points in the second half on the heels of an 8-0 run capped off by a Michael Smith three-pointer. The sophomore scored 11 critical points for LSUE, including three three-pointers.
Jevon Berry would help LSUE take a 36-28 halftime lead after scoring 14 of his team-high 25 points in the first half.
Mamady Djikine was the other LSUE player in double figures, scoring 16 points.
The Bengals will try to rebound on Tuesday against the Wildcat Classic host, Pearl River CC. LSUE's game with the No. 10 Wildcats tips off at 7:30PM and can be seen at PRCCAthletics.com.
