LONGVIEW, Texas --
Warren Richardson had a career-high 27 points but the LeTourneau men's basketball team could not climb out of a 23-point halftime deficit in a 79-68 loss to Redlands on Tuesday night inside Solheim Arena.
Richardson had a career-best 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds to lead LeTourneau (3-7). It was Richardson's fourth double-double of the year.
Redlands (6-1) came out hot in the first half and built a 45-22 lead at the break. The visiting Bulldogs, who are receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25, shot 47.5 percent in the first half and made five 3-pointers to extend the lead.
LeTourneau chipped away in the second half and made it a game. A 10-2 scoring run, capped by a three-point play from
Deonte Jackson, got the YellowJackets within 64-51 with 8:22 remaining. A few minutes later,
Walker Blaine drained a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to single-digits (65-56) for the first time since early in the first half.
That would be as close as LeTourneau would get, however, as Redlands got an offensive rebound and putback on its next possession to stretch the lead back to double-figures and the Bulldogs would hold on for the win.
Jackson added 15 points and four assists for the YellowJackets, while Blaine had 11 points and
Jackson Mayes totaled nine points off the bench.
Caleb Ceasar had four assists as LeTourneau dished out 12 on 22 made field goals. The YellowJackets connected on 40 percent (22-of-55) from the field and went 20-of-26 at the foul line.
Redlands received 20 points from Neil Owens as he made five 3-pointers in the win. Nathaniel Johnson added 10 points. The Bulldogs made 45.8 percent (33-of-72) from the floor with eight 3-pointers and held a 44-34 rebound advantage.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
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LeTourneau returns to Solheim Arena on Saturday to face rival East Texas Baptist (3 p.m.).
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