EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice fended off a second half push from Delgado to secure a 77-71 victory on Wednesday at the HPRE Center.  The Bengals (9-0, 7-0 LCCAC) remain atop the conference ledger with a three-game lead over the Dolphins.
 
The duo of Jonathan Cisse (Grand Coteau, LA, St. Thomas More HS) and Isaiah Payne (Ville Platte, LA, Pine Prairie HS) continued their LCCAC tear, combining for 35 points.  Cisse bucketed 17 points to go along with four rebounds while Payne netted a team-high 18 including four offensive rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
LSUE also received solid efforts from Tyrese Sam (Abbeville, LA, Abbeville HS) (8 points), Tyrese Sam (Abbeville, LA, Abbeville HS) (8 points), Papa Malick Mactar Thiam (Thies, Senegal, Central Pointe Academy (FL)) (9 points) and Charlie Lowe (London, England, St. Benedict's School) (7 points).
 
The Bengals held a 32-27 lead at halftime with the Dolphins inching to within a pair, 47-45, midway through the second half.  A quick LSUE run pushed its lead to a dozen, 64-52, to distance itself from Delgado.
 
The Bengals turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 17 turnovers and turning that into 24 points.
 
LSUE will complete a four-game homestand on Saturday against SU-Shreveport.