PERKINSTON, Ms. – LSU Eunice Men's Basketball used a familiar formula on its way to an 83-75 road win over Southwest Mississippi CC on Saturday.  The Bengals (10-2) head into the new year on a four-game win streak.
 
A theme has started to show for LSUE as it continues its early season success.  The Bengals were once again led by their guard play as well as a stifling defense that would force 31 turnovers against the Bears.
 
LSUE faced an early hole, trailing 8-2 early in the contest.  The Bengals would turn up the heat defensively, using a 16-2 run midway through to take the lead for good and build a double-digit advantage, 23-13.
 
The backcourt duo of Nasir DeGruy (New Orleans, LA, St. Augustine HS) and Bryce Roberts (Bossier City, LA, Parkway HS) were again the engine of the Bengals' offense, combining for 20 points in the first half as the Bengals took a 41-32.
 
The Bengals would keep the Bears at bay for most of the game, holding a 13-point lead multiple times in the afternoon.  Southwest Mississippi would not go down easily, shrinking the LSUE lead to five points with under two minutes to go.
 
Roberts would deliver the final knockout blow, dropping in a floater with 1:09 remaining to give LSUE a 76-69 advantage.  The Bengals would go 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to preserve the victory.
 
DeGruy and Roberts poured in 16 points each while Puoch "PJ" Dubuol, Jr. (St. Cloud, MN, Apollo HS) added 10 points off the bench. 
 
The defense was again key for the Bengals, forcing those 31 turnovers and turning that into 26 points.  Reginald Stoner (Melville, LA, North Central HS) was a defensive menace, posting eight steals to go along with a nine-point outing.
 
LSU Eunice will take a break from action during the holiday season and return to the court Wednesday, January 4 with a 2:00PM matchup at home against McLennan.