It took just nine games but Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has his first 30-point game in the NBA last night. Williamson had 31 points in 28 minutes as New Orleans beat Portland 138-117 for its third straight victory. The Pels will host the Thunder tomorrow their final game before the All-Star break.

The 25th ranked LSU men’s basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak last night with an 82-78 win over Missouri. All five starters scored in double figures led by Skylar Mays who had 23 points. Darius Days had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kentucky also won last night, so the Tigers and Wildcats are tied for first place in the SEC. If Auburn beats Alabama tonight it will be a three-way tie for first place.

Here’s your local college basketball schedule tonight, Northwestern State hosts Incarnate Word, Nicholls faces Lamar in Thibodaux, Sam Houston is at Southeastern Louisiana, UNO visits Central Arkansas, Tulane takes on Temple.

The Associated Press continues to examine the Saints deep ties with the Catholic Church. The A-P has learned that the Bensons’ foundation has given at least 62-million dollars to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and other Catholic causes over the past dozen years. Attorneys for about two dozen men suing the church allege the NFL franchise of of trying to conceal the names of certain clergy accused of sexual abuse. In a statement, Saints Owner Gayle Benson denies those claims.

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. On Monday, police arrested two teens, 18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City and a 15-year-old female who was the driver. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, was arrested yesterday
Cut 7 (11) “…himself in.”
Smith was one of the leading scorers of a Bearkats team that ranked number one in Class 3A.