Box Score EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice claimed a near wire-to-wire win over Copiah-Lincoln, 87-69, on Thursday at the HPRE Center to stay undefeated on the early season. The Bengals (3-0) have won all eight games they have played in to begin the campaign, including five preseason contests.
LSUE jumped out to an 18-point lead thanks to a 27-5 run in a 6:52 span early in the first half.
Mamady Djikine (Paris, France, Lee Academy (ME)) scored 12 of his 14 points during the run including a pair of three-pointers to help LSUE take a 32-14 lead that it would never surrender. Djikine also led LSUE with eight rebounds.
The Bengals defense suffocated Co-Lin in the first half, limiting the Wolfpack to just 10-for-35 (28.6%) shooting from the field.
Jonathan Cisse (Grand Coteau, LA, St. Thomas More HS) would sink a buzzer beating three pointer at the end of the first half to bump the Bengals' lead past 20 points for the first time in the game, taking a 50-29 lead at intermission.
Cisse was one of four Bengals to record double-digit point efforts, totaling 14 points to go along with 11 assists.
Tyrone Hugue (Mansfield, TX, Lake Ridge HS) also chipped in 14 points.
Out of the locker rooms,
Isaiah Payne (Ville Platte, LA, Pine Prairie HS) came alive in the second half as the freshman totaled 13 points on his way to a game-high 22 points off the bench. Payne went 4-for-7 from three-point range as LSUE finished the game 11-for-32 (34.4%) from distance.
Cameron Woodall would lead Copiah-Lincoln with 21 points.
LSUE continues its season opening four-game homestand on Saturday as Northwestern State JV comes to Eunice. Tip-off from the HPRE Center is slated for 3:00PM.
