Lamar State sports information

CORSICANA – When Navarro College went on a 23-0 run in the first half against Lamar State College Port Arthur, it appeared the Seahawks would quickly succumb to another NJCAA Region XIV opponent.

Instead, the Hawks battled back to tie the game 59-59 with just over two minutes left in the game. Still, it wouldn’t be enough as the Bulldogs finished with a 69-65 win over LSCPA on Wednesday night.

The Seahawks fall to 0-3 in Region XIV play and 4-7 overall heading into the holiday break. Navarro improved it mark to 9-2 and 2-1 with the win. LSCPA returns to the court with its New Year’s Classic with two games set for Dec. 30 and 31. LSCPA faces Lone Star College-Cy Fair at 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 and North American University at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

On Wednesday night, the Hawks quickly put the Bulldogs on notice, going up 5-0 on buckets by Alex Williams and Rodney Brown. From there, though, it would be all Navarro as they took off on a 23-point run that finally ended when Brown knocked down a free throw at the 10:14 mark of the first half.

Slowly, the Seahawks whittled the Bulldogs’ lead, pulling to within four points at 23-19 after a 14-point run of their own. At the break, Navarro led 30-22.

Over the second half, Brown and Kolbe Littlefield worked to keep the Hawks close, finally tying the game at 59-59 with a Littlefield layup. Navarro answered with a three-pointer and in the waning moments, did their work at the free throw line to claim the four-point victory.

Brown finished the game with a double-double performance, scoring 15 with 10 rebounds while Littlefield ended with 15 points.

“It’s disappointing,” said LSCPA coach Lance Madison. “We got off to a pretty good start, we looked really relaxed and after we went up early, we kind of got content. Any time a team goes on a 20-point run, you’re not doing your job on offense. You have to be aggressive and drive and draw some fouls and score points at the free throw line. We were passive there and it cost us.”