The LeTourneau University men's basketball team scored five of the first seven points in overtime en route to a 95-84 win over Louisiana College on Thursday night in Solheim Arena.

The YellowJackets (9-12, 6-6 ASC) took one step closer to its goal of reaching the American Southwest Conference Tournament with the win. In the win, LETU shot 50.8% from the field and forced Louisiana College into 15 turnovers which translated into 20 points for the YellowJackets; plus, they also made a season-high 27 free throws at an 81.8% clip.
 
Five players – including four starters - for LeTourneau scored in double figures including senior CJ Edwards, who scored a team-high 27 points on the strength of four 3-pointers. Sophomore Alec Colhoff added 18, junior Jeff Martin had a double double with 12 points and 10 assists to go along with seniors Zakarius Wells and Giovanny Thompson, who had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The Wildcats (9-11, 8-6 ASC) were led by Anthony Gaines, Jr. who had 32 points and Raheem Regis added 24 for Louisiana College.
 
"Both teams really competed tonight," said LETU head coach Dan Miller. "We had opportunities to close it out in the second half and didn't get it done. But, I am extremely proud of the resiliency our team showed in the overtime."


Martin made a pair of free throws with 3:46 to go in the second half that put the home team ahead 66-59. The Wildcats went on a 10-3 spurt to tie the game for the first time in a little over seven minutes when Gaines tied the contest at 69 with 1:03 to play in the second half. The YellowJackets stretched the lead to four when Martin made four-straight free throws but the visitors had an answer with two baskets in the final 13 seconds to tie the game at 73. A last-second shot by Edwards came up short and sent the game to overtime.
 
Gaines, Jr. made a pair of free throws to start overtime for a brief two-point lead for the visitors. Then, the YellowJackets called on LETU freshman Christian Seidl, who was returning to the team after missing action last week, due to the passing of his father. The Lake Travis native rose to the occasion. He quickly tied the game for the 11^th time when he made a jumper after a pass from Edwards.
 
"Christian made some big plays in the overtime and we know his dad (Mike) is smiling down on that," said Miller. LeTourneau went on a 11-2 run that included a 3-pointer and a lay-up by Seidl that put the YellowJackets ahead nine, 86-77, with 1:34 to go and for the remainder of the contest. LeTourneau stretched the margin to as much as 12 to seal the win.
 
It will be a quick turnaround for the YellowJackets, who will face East Texas Baptist on Saturday at 3 p.m. There will be free Raising Cane's for LETU and ETBU students between games and at halftime, the Teams of Tomorrow will be performing.