CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — Central Baptist began its men’s NAIA basketball season with a 79-72 home victory over visiting Louisiana Christian on Oct. 23 at Boshamer Stadium. The Mustangs improved to 1-0, while the Wildcats dropped to 0-1. Central Baptist led 41-38 after the first quarter and held off a Louisiana Christian offense that shot efficiently from the floor for much of the game.

Ethan Thomas opened the game with a jump shot for the Mustangs, but Cam Ned answered with a 3-pointer for the Wildcats. Joshua Stevenson made a layup and added a free throw, Daniel Mitchell connected on a 3-pointer and a jumper, and Roko Kegalj scored inside as Central Baptist matched Louisiana Christian early. Keshun Brown added a 3-pointer and a jumper, while Randy Clay hit a 3-pointer and a dunk. Cam Ned produced a dunk and a series of jump shots, Rambo Eagins hit a 3-pointer, and Desmond Atkins dunked as the Wildcats stayed close. Isaac Ratliff made a free throw, Tim Ferguson III made a free throw for Louisiana Christian, and Cam Ned added a free throw near the end of the quarter as Central Baptist carried a three-point lead into the second.

The Wildcats opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer from Rambo Eagins and a jumper from Desmond Atkins, but Central Baptist responded through Keshun Brown and Roko Kegalj. Randy Clay made consecutive layups, Caleb Knight hit a 3-pointer and a free throw, and Joshua Stevenson scored on layups and a 3-pointer. Cam Ned continued to attack for Louisiana Christian with dunks, layups and jump shots, while Daniel Mitchell added a 3-pointer. Isaac Ratliff scored on a series of layups and a dunk, and Zaydrien Sewell hit two late 3-pointers for the Wildcats. Central Baptist got free throws from Keshun Brown and Roko Kegalj and a late free throw from Joshua Stevenson to protect its lead. Jadavien Banks also scored on a layup and a 3-pointer in the first half for the Mustangs, and Ethan Thomas added a layup and a free throw.

Cam Ned paced Louisiana Christian’s offense throughout the game, repeatedly finding scoring chances from the perimeter and around the rim. Keshun Brown and Joshua Stevenson keyed Central Baptist’s response, with Brown hitting from beyond the arc and Stevenson producing layups and free throws. Daniel Mitchell, Isaac Ratliff, Rambo Eagins and Desmond Atkins also contributed for the Wildcats, while Zaydrien Sewell provided late perimeter shooting. Randy Clay, Roko Kegalj and Ethan Thomas provided support for the Mustangs, and Jadavien Banks and Caleb Knight added scoring in the first half.

Louisiana Christian shot 30 of 58 from the floor and 7 of 20 from 3-point range. Central Baptist shot 27 of 65 from the floor and 7 of 22 from beyond the arc. The Mustangs made 18 of 29 free throws, while the Wildcats made 5 of 12. Central Baptist held a 38-36 rebounding advantage, including an 11-7 edge on offensive rebounds. The Mustangs recorded 13 assists to Louisiana Christian’s 10 and committed 12 turnovers to the Wildcats’ 19. Louisiana Christian blocked six shots. The Wildcats were called for 24 fouls, and the Mustangs for 16. Louisiana Christian scored 72 points from 76 possessions for an offensive rating of 95.1, and Central Baptist scored 79 points from 80 possessions for an offensive rating of 99.0.

Central Baptist’s win came after Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Louisiana Christian 61, Central Baptist 60. Interstat’s ELO system had given Central Baptist an 84.1 percent probability to win. The Mustangs will next play on the road at LSU Alexandria, while Louisiana Christian will next host Wiley.