POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH COACH DAVIS AND JUSTIN JONES

LONGVIEW - Despite many Jackets being in foul trouble throughout the game, the Jackets got clutch bench play both offensively and defensively and junior Justin Jones came up big throughout the game to defeat the Louisiana College Wildcats 67-62 Thursday night atSolheim Arena.

Louisiana College (3-8, 3-6 ASC) took the early advantavge off a three pointer, but senior Deitrich Williams responded with a long range two pointer to make it a 3-2 game. The Wildcats got a basket before freshman Ladaria Brown buried a three pointer to tie the game at five. 

The two teams exchanged baskets back and forth as the Jackets got points from many different players including Jones, senior Cristian Driver, senior Kendrae Carter, and freshman Chris Hynes.

However, the Jackets (5-9, 4-4 ASC) went cold and only scored four points in a five minute span to trail the Wildcats by as many as six. With 3:11 remaining, Louisiana College maintained a six point lead, but LeTourneau got jumpers from Jones and Carter and a three point play from Drive to tie the game at 28 late in the first half. Louisiana College got a jumper to fall with a few seconds remaining in the half as the Wildcats took a 30-28 lead into the break.

The Jackets got two straight buckets from Jones to start the second half and overtake the lead. After a three pointer from LC, D. Williams gashed the lane for a layup followed by free throws from Brown and a layup from sophomore Paul All to take a five point lead.

Louisiana College responded right back with a 6-0 run to take a 39-38 lead. Carter responded with a pair of layups followed by a three pointer from the Wildcats. Carter fired right back with a three that rattled in to put the Jackets back on top.

After another basket from the Wildcats, Driver buried a three pointer and Brown came back with a pair of free throws to extend LeTourneau's lead to 48-44. Driver then added a free throw and Jones made a layup and all of a sudden, LeTourneau held their biggest lead of the night at 51-44.

Louisiana College fought back and got within two with two minutes to go, but a huge layup from Jones gave the Jackets a four point lead. After a stop on the defensive end, Hynes did a tremendous job running the shot and game clock down and then finding a lane for an easy lay in to all but finish the game off. The Jackets finished the game with the win despite a strong comeback effort from the Wildcats.

Jones led all scorers with 20 on the night while Brown added 13 and Driver picked up 11 and seven rebounds. Many bench players played big on the night including All, who was an unsung hero on the defensive end with 11 boards as well as tough defense all night long. Hynes was also key with six assists and three steals as he did a terrifc job at point guard. Carter provided eight points off the bench and played well defensively.

The Jackets shot 43% from the field to LC's 38%. They outrebounded the Wildcats 41-35 and the turnover battled was even at 16 each.

The Jackets return to Solheim Arena on Saturday as they welcome in the Mississippi College Choctaws and look to make a move up the ASC standings. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game can be seen live at letuathletics.tv.