ALEXANDRIA, La. – The University of St. Thomas men's basketball team lost to No. 1 Louisiana State-Alexandria Saturday, 94-86.

The Celts (12-6, 4-3 Red River Athletic Conference) built a 15-point lead when Kennard Robinson (JR/Houston, Texas) scored on a fastbreak with 13:49 remaining in the first half. The Generals (17-2, 7-1) used a 7-0 run over the next 2:04 to cut it to eight on Philip Rankin Jr.'s basket. Sam Flores (SR/El Paso, Texas) hit a triple to push the Celts' lead back to 11 at the 11:09 mark.

St. Thomas went on a 10-4 run, capped by Nicholas Perez (JR/Katy, Texas)'s three-pointer with 8:22 remaining in the first half to open up its largest lead of the game, 36-19. LSU-Alexandria responded with a 17-0 run to tie the game at 36 on Malek Harris' basket at the 2:28 mark. Nathan Thormaehlen (JR/Katy, Texas) scored on an offensive putback to put UST back in front. The Generals tied the game twice more in the final two minutes of the half before Quashi "Ayo" Philips scored on a dish from Robinson with 12 seconds on the clock to send the Celts into the break up, 43-41.

St. Thomas shot 17 of 38 in the first half. LSU-Alexandria was 17 of 36.

The Generals built an 11-point lead on a triple by Devin Jackson at the 16:37 mark of the second half. Cameron Gims (FR/Cypress, Texas) buried a three after Paris Marquez (SR/Atascocita, Texas) came up with a steal to pull the Celts within four 1:22 later.

Chris Vicker's three-point play with 8:08 remaining pushed LSU-Alexandria's lead out to 13. The Generals later led by 15, but Robinson keyed an 11-0 run with a field goal and two steals, and Marquez hit a triple and was fouled with 58 seconds to go to bring UST within 87-83. LSU-Alexandria didn't surrender its lead, however.

The Celts shot 43.4 percent, while the Generals hit 51.5 percent of their field goals.

Marquez had 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Gims had 14 points and four rebounds. Robinson had 12 points, six assists and five steals. Flores scored 11 points, and Orowo Eleyae (SR/Houston, Texas) and Thormaehlen each had 10 points and six boards.

UST was outrebounded, 44-32. The Celts outscored the Generals in transition, 25-18. LSU-Alexandria's bench outscored St. Thomas, 39-20.

St. Thomas will play at Paul Quinn College 7:30 p.m. Friday and at Texas College 7 p.m. Saturday.