Box Score BEEVILLE, Texas –
Tahjea Smith (Texas City, TX, Texas City HS) scored 10 of her game-high 28 points in the final frame as LSU Eunice cruised past Coastal Bend 84-63 on Wednesday at the Maracek Fitness Center. The 28 points were a career high for the Texas native.
After building as large as an 18-point lead, the Bengals saw their advantage slip to seven points, 50-43, entering the fourth quarter. That's when Smith and the Bengals shifted into another gear, scoring 34 points in the fourth quarter.
Abigail Lynch (New Caney, TX, New Caney HS) added eight of her nine points in the fourth.
The inside tandem of Smith and
Vanessa Duhe (Lacassine, LA, Lacassine HS) helped the Bengals dominate inside. Smith recorded another double-double with 11 rebounds while Duhe poured in 14 points and 10 rebounds. The duo spearheaded a post game that produced 54 points in the paint.
LSUE owned the rebounding margin 72-50 including 30 offensive rebounds leading to 21 second chance points.
The Bengals led wire-to-wire, owning a 38-23 advantage at the break.
Trinity Harold (Denham Springs, LA, Walker HS) was the other LSUE player to record a double-digit point effort, posting her own double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Another bright spot was the backcourt tandem of
Autumn Chassion (Lafayette, LA, Lafayette Christian Academy HS) and
Rylee Jinks (Grant, LA, Fairview HS), combining for 13 assists. The Bengals tallied assists on 25 of the team's 32 field goals on the night.
LSUE will continue its road trip this weekend with a pair of games at the Angelina College Classic. The Bengals will face off with Angelina College on Friday, followed by a Saturday game against Tyler Junior College.
