Davis and Defense Lead Pilots To Road Win
January 19, 2013
The LSU Shreveport Pilots (12-4, 7-3) were eager to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon. The Pilots were able to accomplish what they set out to do by defeating the Langston Lions 77-71. Brandon Davis led the Pilots with his fourth consecutive double-double tallying 22 points and 12 rebounds. The key to the big road victory according to Head Coach Kyle Blankenship was the team's "commitment to getting stops, especially in the first half and the final five minutes of the game. Without question this is one of best defensive performances of the year."
The Pilots efficiency from the three-point line (56%) in the first half and a good dose of lock-down defense allowed them to take an eight point lead(38-30) into the locker room at intermission. As expected, the Lions wouldn't go away and fought their way back into the lead. The Pilots were trailing 63-60 when Mark Politte drained a corner three to even the score. After a stop on the defensive end, Politte came up big again pulling down an offensive rebound and assist to Rodney Milum for the lead. The Pilots never trailed again and made enough free-throws down the stretch to hold onto the win.
Three other Pilots joined Davis by reaching double-digits in the scoring column. Rodney Milum and Mark Politte dropped in 12 points and Rydell Harris scored 10. The recipe for success on Saturday afternoon was great defense and efficient shooting from three-point range (8-17) and the free-throw line (19-25). Head Coach Kyle Blankenship was extremely excited about the victory and commented about picking up a win on the road. "This is a great win for our ball club. Langston is a very well-coached team, and the Lion's Den is a very tough place to play."
The Pilots will be back in action Monday night against the Bacone College Warriors. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Pilots defeated the Warriors when they met in Shreveport by a score of 88-68.
