Athletics

Pilots defeat Rams in GCAC showdown, 82-74

February 07, 2004

The LSUS Pilots squared off against the University of Mobile Rams Saturday night, just two weeks after suffering a loss at the hands of the Rams in Mobile, AL by a score of 89-80. The Pilots were in tough once again Saturday night as they found themselves down by as many as 12 points in the second half, however, the Pilots pulled out a courageous comeback and defeated the Rams 82-74 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action.

In the first half, the two teams battled to a 31-31 intermission score. Pilot Guard Fredericko Payne led all scorers at the break with 10 points on 3 of 8 shooting. Abraham Saxon pulled down 9 rebounds and added three points as the Pilots held off the Rams potent offensive attack. Jacob Frasier led the Rams with 8 points and 3 boards in the first half.

The Rams rallied to a 12-0 run to begin the second half and led 47-35 with 16:32 remaining, their biggest lead of the game. LSUS chipped away at the lead and managed to finally tie the score at 64-64 with 6:23 left on the game clock. A three-point basket by Justin Collins with 1:29 remaining gave the Pilots their first lead of the half, one which Mobile could never relinquish.

In the end it was made free-throws by LSUS which put the game out of reach. The Pilots were 21 of 25 from the charity stripe in the second half. Mobile completed only 5 of 14 attempts from the line in the second half, missing some crucial opportunities late in the game. The Rams finished shooting only 9 of 21 from the line in the contest.

LSUS guard Fredericko Payne had a game high 20 points, going 7-15 from the field, and connecting on all four free throw attempts. Justin Collins finished with a personal season high 19 points and added 5 assists in his 25 minutes of play. Derrick Rogers finished with 11 points and Freddy Hughes also reached double digits as he pitched in with 10 points in the Pilot victory.

The Pilots are now 13-10 on the season and 6-5 in the GCAC standings. LSUS plays host to Belhaven College Monday night as they look to build on their season high 4 game win streak. Tip-off is scheduled to start at 7:30.

All LSUS News Releases are Online at: http://www.lsus.edu/athletics/ To receive LSUS Sports Releases by e-mail, contact Allan Cantwell at: sports@pilot.lsus.edu

LSUS Athletics Contact: Allan Cantwell Sports Information 318-797-5194 (office) 318-572-6237 (cellular)