ALEXANDRIA - The LSUA Men鈥檚 Basketball team has once again proven its dominance, securing its second consecutive Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament Championship with a hard-fought 88-79 victory over the University of the Southwest (NM) in the tournament final. This win caps off a stellar season for the Generals, who were also crowned RRAC Regular Season Champions for the second straight year in February.
Trailing by as much as 14 points in the first half, LSUA (28-2, 22-2 RRAC) mounted an impressive comeback before halftime, tying the game 41-41 as the buzzer sounded. Fresh off being named RRAC Player of the Year, Kashie Natt delivered a season-high 36-point performance, leading the Generals with relentless offensive execution. After battling for the lead in the second half, LSUA pulled away in the final minutes, answering every challenge from the Mustangs (17-13, 12-12 RRAC). Key plays from Xavier Smith, Jordan Decuir, and Kaleb Pouncy helped keep LSUA ahead, solidifying the victory. Decuir added 17 points in a strong team effort, while Pouncy contributed 16 points off the bench.
With the tournament title secured, the Generals now shift their focus to the NAIA Men鈥檚 Basketball Championship, where they await their first-round opponent. LSUA has already been announced as a host site for the first and second rounds, ensuring the Generals will have a home-court advantage as they continue their pursuit of a national title.
Also in the championship action on Sunday, the LSUA Women鈥檚 Basketball team fell just short in the RRAC Tournament Final, dropping a 54-51 contest to LSU Shreveport. A clutch three-pointer from Dannah Martin-Hartwick with 18.2 seconds left tied the game at 51-51, but a three-point play from LSUS in the final moments sealed the victory for the Pilots (27-3, 23-1 RRAC). The Generals (23-8, 18-6 RRAC) showcased strong defensive efforts, holding LSUS to just 31.3% shooting, including a 21.4% first-quarter mark. Jewel Jones led LSUA with 18 points, while Justice Young recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Head Coach Billy Perkins praised his team鈥檚 effort, emphasizing their defensive resilience and commitment throughout the tournament.
Written by Caleb Dunlop | LSUA Athletics
Photo credit - LSUA Strategic Communications