SHREVEPORT, LA: Round two of #1 Texas Wesleyan University Men's Basketball vs. #11 LSU-Shreveport went to the Pilots on Tuesday as the Pilots (7-0) defeated the Rams (4-2) by a final score of 85-75 at The Dock.
Both of Texas Wesleyan's losses in the young season have come at the hands of LSUS who prevailed in the second game of the season in Fort Worth as well.
On Tuesday, the Rams jumped ahead early when a three from
Branden Jenkins pushed the score to 12-8, but the Pilots exploded with a 17-2 run to take command at 25-14. That same margin held at halftime when the scoreboard read 46-35.
The Rams cut the margin to single digits on four occasions in the second half but still trailed 68-57 midway through the period. The Rams looked to make a game of it when a pair of free throws from Demarcus Emanuel sparked a string of nine unanswered points.
Jeremy Crane banked in a deep three and
Dare Brazeal followed with a bucket in the lane to make it a one-possession game at 68-66.
LSUS answered immediately, outscoring the Rams 11-2 over the next 2:30 to put the game away at 79-68.
Turnovers were the difference in the game, as the Rams turned it over 18 times. That allowed LSUS to take nine more shots in the game, while the Pilots outscored the Rams 23-6 following turnovers.
The Rams outshot the Pilots 47%-43% from the field. LSUS found more success from beyond the arc where they hit 11-of-36 and the Rams were 6-of-19. LSUS also held a slight rebounding edge at 41-37.
Jenkins led the Rams with 22 points to go with six rebounds. Crane finished with 14 points and seven boards.
Four Pilots reached double-figure scoring, led by Malik Andrus' 22 points. Antwine Baker (15 points, 13 rebounds) and DJ Clayton (19 points, 11 rebounds) both posted double-doubles.
The Rams are back in action on Saturday, when they welcome Jarvis Christian to the Sid Richardson Center. That game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- This was the fifth game of a six-game stretch against teams from the Rams' former conference, the Red River Athletic Conference. They are 3-2 in that stretch with the two losses against LSUS.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with LSUS, 14-11.
- Looking ahead, Saturday's game is the final tune-up before Texas Wesleyan plays five consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference contests.
