Box Score

SHREVEPORT, LA: In a battle of two of the top teams in the nation, the Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (13-2, 6-1) came up on the short end of a 74-68 score at LSU-Shreveport (14-0, 7-0).

 

Monday’s game had all the billing of a heavyweight title match. The Pilots, newcomers to the RRAC, entered having won six consecutive Gulf Coast Conference Championships, while the Rams have won three straight RRAC titles. The latest NAIA Coaches’ Poll was release just minutes before the contest, and unbeaten LSUS checked in as the top ranked team in the country, while the Rams dropped from fourth to seventh.

 

The Pilots entered the game averaging 112 points per game in their last three conference games; however, Texas Wesleyan limited LSUS to 37% shooting in the first half.

 

The Rams came out hot connecting on their first three shots and grabbing a quick 7-2 lead. LSUS scored the next six points to regain the lead at 8-7. After Jeremy Smith tied the game at 16 midway through the period, the Pilots took control with six unanswered points capped by a three from Corey Bingham.

 

LSUS led by as many as nine points, 31-22, but Texas Wesleyan cut that margin to 33-32 before heading into the locker room trailing 36-32.

 

Ty Gough grabbed 14 rebounds in the first half, besting his season-high of 13 in one game. Meanwhile Smith led the way with 11 points to keep the Rams close.

 

The Pilots threw the first punch of the second half, opening the frame with a 9-2 run that brought the score to 45-34. The Rams were up to the task, chipping away at the margin and finally regaining the lead at 59-58 on a layup from Jeremy Mayfield with 6:08 to play.

 

Texas Wesleyan pushed its advantage to five, 66-61, with a Brian Wanamaker layup with 3:33 on the clock. The Pilots came right back, forcing turnovers on the next three TWU possessions. The result was an 8-0 run that put LSUS on top, 69-66 with 1:59 to play. Texas Wesleyan continued to trail, 71-68 with nineteen seconds to play, when the Rams missed a point blank fast break layup. The Pilots grabbed the rebound and the Rams were forced to foul. LSUS made its free throws in the final seconds and came away with the 74-68 win.

 

“I thought it was a heavyweight fight between two of the top teams in the country,” commented head coach Terry Waldrop. “We had chances to win it. We did a lot of good things tonight, and this team will continue to get better. We made mistakes tonight that we will not make again.”

 

The Rams dominated the Pilots on the glass, holding a 60-38 advantage. Neither team shot well, with Texas Wesleyan edging LSUS 36%-34%. Texas Wesleyan’s downfall proved to be turnovers. The Rams committed 24 turnovers that led to 30 LSU-Shreveport points, while the Pilots committed just 10 turnovers allowing the Rams 14 points.

 

Smith led four Rams in double-figure scoring with 16 points to go with eight assists. Gough finished with a career-high 20 rebounds. Jonathan Blake posted 13 points and nine rebounds. Wanamaker had 12 points and nine boards, and Mayfield finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

 

Eric Young led five Pilots in double-figures with 16 points. Derrick Parker posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Corey Bingham finished with 14 points, Isiah Bazile added 13, and Brance Davenport 10.

 

The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Muskogee, OK, to take on Bacone College in RRAC action. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.