Stallions Close Strong on the Road, Defeat Louisiana Christian 79–69
Written By Coach Jackson
PINEVILLE, La. — North American University put together a poised second-half performance Thursday night, pulling away from Louisiana Christian University for a 79–69 road victory at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
The Stallions weathered an early challenge from the Wildcats, who carried a 34–32 lead into halftime after a competitive first 20 minutes. North American stayed within striking distance despite a slow start offensively, then came out of the locker room with renewed energy on both ends of the floor.
That adjustment made all the difference.
North American outscored Louisiana Christian 47–35 in the second half, tightening defensively and taking control of the game through rebounding and efficient execution. The Stallions finished with a commanding 48–27 advantage on the boards, including 18 offensive rebounds that consistently extended possessions.
Jamarric Hammond led the way with a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds, serving as the stabilizing force throughout the night. Hammond was automatic at the free-throw line, going a perfect 11-for-11, and consistently delivered in key moments as the Wildcats attempted to rally.
Kemani Wilson turned in a complete performance, recording a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Wilson was especially impactful on the offensive glass and added four three-pointers to stretch the floor, giving Louisiana Christian problems inside and out.
Jayden Jackson added 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, providing steady guard play and timely scoring. Joseph Cormier contributed nine points and five rebounds in the paint, while Naheim Northern came off the bench to score eight points and dish out three assists, helping maintain momentum when the Stallions went to their depth.
North American shot 45.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range, while also capitalizing at the free-throw line, converting 16 of 20 attempts. Defensively, the Stallions forced 11 turnovers and limited Louisiana Christian's second-chance opportunities.
Louisiana Christian was led by Bryce Weinmunson's 22 points and Drew Tebbe's 14 points and eight assists, but the Wildcats struggled to keep pace with North American's physicality and execution in the final minutes.
With the win, North American improves to 10–7 overall and 8–6 in Red River Athletic Conference play, continuing to gain traction as the season enters its stretch run. North American returns home next Thursday, Jan. 29 at 3:00 PM CST to host UNT Dallas. The Trailblazers are led by head coach Josh Howard, former NBA All-Star and long-time Dallas Mavericks standout who has transitioned into the college coaching ranks and built the UNT Dallas program from the ground up. Howard brings a wealth of professional experience and a competitive edge that will make this one a true showdown at Stallions Gym. SI.com
