The New Orleans Pelicans couldn’t get ahead of Oklahoma City Thursday as the Thunder come away with a 121-95 victory. Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday scored 23 points each. There was a moment of silence before tip-off for the family of former Pelicans coach and current Oklahoma City assistant coach Monty Williams. His wife Ingrid died this week after being involved in a crash which also claimed the life of the other driver and injured three of the Williams’ children.

Could college sports be in jeopardy because of the state’s budget crisis? In an unprecedented address to the public, Governor John Bel Edwards said Thursday evening that higher education in the state could be compromised which includes the possibility of college athletics in Louisiana being canceled. Edwards highlighted the LSU football team as one of the potential losses from the massive cuts to higher education funding. State Treasurer John Kennedy rebutted saying Edwards was using scare tactics to get people on board with raising taxes.

In college hoops Louisiana-Lafayette beat Arkansas State 83-73 last night for the Ragin Cajuns 9th straight win. Shawn Long scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. The Cajuns had a 41-30 rebounding advantage.

Louisiana Tech beat Middle Tennessee last night 73-63. Erik McCree scored 18 points with 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs have won five of six.

McNeese State stopped a three game losing skid after beating New Orleans 87-76 last night. James Harvey was 5 of 8 from beyond the arc to tie his career high of 23 points.

ULM knocked off the Arkansas Little Rock last night 86-82 in Sun Belt Play. Arkansas State comes to Monroe on Saturday with tip-off set at 4 p.m.