LeTourneau Teams Face Setbacks in Road Games Against Centre, Belhaven

LeTourneau University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams experienced disappointing results during their road games over the weekend. The men’s team suffered an 88-75 defeat against Centre College on November 25, 2023, while the women’s team fell short 79-69 against Belhaven University.

Men’s Team Struggles Against Centre

In Lookout Mountain, Georgia, LeTourneau’s men’s basketball team faced Centre in the final match of the 84 Lumber Classic. This loss marked the first setback for LeTourneau (3-1) this season. The team struggled to recover from a sluggish start, with Centre (4-1) establishing a 10-point lead early in the first half.

Jackson Mayes led LeTourneau with an impressive 25 points, while Teigan Edwards contributed 24 points. Mayes also recorded four rebounds and four assists, while Edwards added five rebounds and two assists. Despite their efforts, the YellowJackets were unable to overcome Centre’s defensive pressure, which proved crucial in maintaining the Colonels’ lead.

Centre’s Drake Ingram was a standout performer, scoring 24 points. Alongside him, Kalib Thomas, Landen Hamilton, and Riley Mastin contributed significantly, ensuring four players reached double figures. Centre shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the field, including 12 successful three-pointers.

LeTourneau managed only 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field and hit 7-of-20 from beyond the arc. However, they performed well at the free-throw line, converting 24 of 33 attempts. The YellowJackets will look to regroup on December 2, 2023, when they host Centenary College for their Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) opener.

Women’s Team Falls to Belhaven

In Jackson, Mississippi, the LeTourneau women’s basketball team faced a challenging match against Belhaven. Despite holding a lead late in the game, the YellowJackets (1-3) ultimately succumbed to a 79-69 defeat.

Makenzie Covey shone brightly for LeTourneau, scoring a career-high 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds. She shot an efficient 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the field and added three assists. Kylie Weeks also had a strong outing, contributing 16 points, including four made three-pointers, while averaging 3.8 steals per game this season. Mariana Espinosa added 15 points and six rebounds, marking her third performance of 15 or more points this year.

LeTourneau opened the scoring with a tip-in from Covey but quickly fell behind as Belhaven established a 9-0 run. The Blazers maintained a lead throughout the first half, ultimately entering halftime with a 41-30 advantage.

The YellowJackets came out strong in the second half, launching a 14-4 run and reducing Belhaven’s lead to just six points. As the game progressed, LeTourneau managed to take a brief lead at 65-62 following a pair of free throws from Covey. However, Belhaven responded with a decisive 12-point run, sealing their victory.

Savannah Hailey from Belhaven led her team with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and five steals. LeTourneau will look to bounce back with another road game against Rhodes College on November 28, 2023, before the Thanksgiving break.