EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice kicked off its defense of its LCCAC crown with an 80-63 defeat of Delgado CC on Thursday night inside the HPRE Center.  The Bengals (6-2, 1-0 LCCAC) have won 15 straight against their New Orleans rivals dating back to the 2015-16 campaign.
 
The win also marked the Bengals' 29th straight win in LCCAC play, dating back to the 2016-17 season.  LSUE has won the three conference championships in undefeated fashion.
 
LSUE started off hot from the jump, taking a commanding 10-0 to start the game and never looking back.  Abigail Lynch (New Caney, TX, New Caney HS) bucketed a three-pointer with 5:30 left in the first quarter to push LSUE's lead to double digits and force a Delgado timeout.
 
The Bengals shot 10-for-29 (34.5%) from beyond the arc, including three from downtown by Brooklyn Fontenot (Kinder, LA, Kinder HS).  The freshman led LSUE with 14 points on the night.
 
LSUE would work on its inside-outside game throughout, scoring 40 points in the paint and owning a 57-49 rebounding margin.  Tahjea Smith (Texas City, TX, Texas City HS) turned in a great night, recording a double-double for the Bengals with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  Chelsey White (Port Allen, LA, Port Allen HS) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds inside while Tanisha Hester (Houma, LA, Ellender HS) led the cause on the glass with 11 boards.
 
After taking a 44-28 lead at intermission, LSUE would push its lead to 20 points in the third quarter at 60-40.  Delgado would fight back within 12 before the Bengals put the game away for good.

LSUE held Delgado to 23-for-76 (30.3%) from the field.
 
The Bengals game on Saturday with Southern-Shreveport has been postponed due to poor weather conditions still in the Shreveport area.  LSUE will hit the road on Wednesday, February 24 to face Baton Rouge CC.