Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  The Clifford Classic continued to deliver excitement in the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.  After Oklahoma Baptist (4-4) held off Jarvis Christian College (3-2) 55-53, the Rams took a thrilling come from behind 86-84 win over second ranked LSU-Shreveport (3-5).
 
The four games in the Clifford Classic, Friday and Saturday, were decided by a grand total of nine points.
 
In the first half against LSUS, the lead changed hands ten times and neither team led by more than five points.  The Rams committed 12 turnovers in the period, leading to 12 points for the Pilots.  However, Deonte Jones drained four three-pointers to keep the Rams close at 37-35 at the intermission.
 
Midway through the second half, the Pilots used an 11-4 run to open the largest lead of the game at 64-53.  The deficit was still double-figures, 75-65, inside of six minutes to play when the Rams roared to life.  Three's from Jones and Jorge Redmon and a slam from Rilwan Bakare highlighted a 14-1 run that put the Rams on top 79-76 with 2:42 remaining.
 
The Pilots twice cut the lead to a single point in the final minute, but the Rams hit three-of-four at the free throw line to hold on for the 86-84 win.
 
Deonte Jones nearly posted an historic night.  His eight three-pointers were one shy of Robert Allen's single-game school record set during the 2000-01 season.  Jones scored 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting from distance.  He also grabbed three rebounds and had three assists and two steals.
 
"I'm really proud of our bounce back today," commented head coach Brennen Shingleton.  "This is a great group of hard working guys that continue to accept my daily challenges.  I'm proud to be on their team.  We have a lot of work to do in order to compete in the Sooner, but we are ready for the journey."
 
The Rams turned in an outstanding shooting night at 57% from the floor, 63% (12-of-19) from long range, and 80% at the free throw line.  The Pilots controlled the paint and the glass, outscoring the Rams 46-28 in the lane and outrebounding the Rams 32-30.
 
Redmon added 22 points and seven assists for the Rams.  Bakare finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
LSUS' Brandon Davis led all scorers with 27 points to go with 10 rebounds.  Will Nelson finished with 24 points for the Pilots.
 
The Rams will open Sooner Athletic Conference play on Thursday, when they host Mid-America Christian University.  That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.