Pilots salvage road trip with 85-64 win over SAGU
November 20, 2006
Waxahachie, TX---The LSUS Pilots (5-1) were notified of a major schedule change at the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Classic late Thursday afternoon which had them scrambling for transportation, class schedules, and a game plan as their Saturday night match-up against the defending NAIA National Champions, Texas Wesleyan Rams, was rescheduled for Friday at 4:00pm. The Pilots looked strong early in the contest and led 35-34 at the break, but scored just seven points in the first 12-minutes of the second half as the Rams went on to hand the Pilots their first loss of the season with a 72-58 victory. The Pilots however responded with an 85-64 victory over the host SAGU Lions Saturday night.
The Pilots finished Friday’s contest shooting a season low 33% (19-of-57) from the floor, and were held under 60-points for the first time since the programs resurrection in 2003-2004.
NAIA Pre-Season All-American Josh Porter battled through a broken nose from a pre-season scrimmage and a lower back injury suffered in the Pilots home opener to finish with a team high 18-points. Point guard Freddy Hughes added 14-points and a team high seven rebounds.
The Pilots were dominated 51-28 on the boards by the Rams who led by as many as 22-points in the second half.
LSUS won the turnover battle forcing 20 by the Rams while committing a season low 12, but just could not capitalize on the offensive end, which included the free-throw line. The Pilots connected on just 13-of-24 attempts.
Despite the poor showing Friday afternoon, Head Coach Chad McDowell and his Pilots regrouped and responded in a big way against the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions Saturday night.
A 7-of-11 three-point shooting barrage by the Pilots in the first half had the Pilots ahead 52-31 at the break. The Pilots coasted to an 85-64 victory over the Lions to improve to 5-1 on the season.
Porter led all scorers with 25-points while Blake Whittle added 19-points and seven rebounds.
The Pilots will now look forward to hosting the East Texas Baptist University Tigers Tuesday night at The Dock. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.
