Nederland graduate Colton Weisbrod came six points away from the Lamar State College-Port Arthur single game scoring record and the Seahawks needed every one of his 39 points.
The 103-87 final score does not show how hard it was for LSC-PA (2-2) to put away Houston Community College.
It was 90-81 late in the game when Seahawks coach Lance Madison needed a timeout and to bring Weisbrod back into the contest.
The future Lamar Cardinal and Jordon Harris, a University of Louisiana-Monroe signee, knocked down a late three point and three free throws to finally get past the Eagles. Harris finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
“We have to value possessions,” Madison said. “We had some unforced turnovers. I knew they would press us. That is something we will have to get better at this year. When we get into conference, we will have a lot of teams who press. We have to do much better attacking the press.”
The Seahawks had 18 turnovers Wednesday and made it for it by shooting 55.1-percent from the field on 38 of 69 shooting. The Eagles shot 41.8 percent on 33-of-79 shooting from the field.
Mambi Diawara came one assist shy of a triple-double for the Seahawks. He scored 13 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Weisbrod posted a double double with his 39 points and 13 rebounds. He had 20 points in the first half in front of several members of the Nederland varsity basketball team and coaches in attendance.
“A lot of the game I felt we never really got into a rhythm,” Weisbrod said. “We scored offensively and we played some good defense but even with it I think we hit some lulls. We missed some open layups and some different things didn’t go our way. Overall, we got the win and that is all that matters.”
LSC-PA went up 31-16 in the first half before HCC went on an 8-0 run to close to within 31-26.
The Eagles would drain four three-pointers before the half and got a bucket from Jecobie Jackson right before the buzzer to tie the game at 48-48 heading into the break.
HCC took its second lead of the game to start the second half, the first coming when it was 3-2 to open the contest.
The Eagles led 50-48 to open the second half and a 12-0 run by the Seahawks gave LSC-PA the lead for good at 60-50.
HCC tried to make it a game late but it was LSC-PA that was able to close the deal, much to the pleasure of Madison.
“It was good we were in that situation,” Madison said. “Jordon hit a big three and we had to execute in the half court. We had a sense of urgency. We have to have that sense of urgency for 40 minutes. We can’t take plays off. I thought we played tough and there were times we got relaxed and we didn’t compete.”
West Orange-Stark graduate Chase Rutledge scored only five points in the game but Weisbrod credited him for playing tough defense in the second half.
“He came in and immediately made a difference,” Weisbrod said. “One of the Eagles players tried to put on about four or five moves on Chase, he stuck with him and eventually the ball went out of bounds. That was a big play.”