Pilots take down OLLU
January 07, 2013
SHREVEPORT, La. - The LSU Shreveport Pilots picked up a huge win on Monday night at The Dock 95-91 over the Our Lady of the Lake Saints in Red River Athletic Conference play. The Pilots are now just half a game behind the Saints for third place and just a game and a half out of first.
LSUS (9-3, 5-2 RRAC) hit 32 of 40 from the free-throw line thanks to 28 personal fouls and a technical to the visiting coach. Tevin Hall made all 10 of his free throws that accounted for all of his points off the bench in his debut as a Pilot.
The reigning RRAC and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Player of the Week Brandon Davis was seven of 11 from the charity stripe as he finished with 25 points. Rodney Milum led the Pilots once again as he led all scorers with 29 points while making eight of nine from the free-throw line. Milum tied OLLU's Robert Martinez with five makes from downtown but Milum had 14 attempts and Martinez launched up 13 attempts.
The Pilots shot 43-percent for the game while the visitors 38-percent.
OLLU (8-6, 6-2 RRAC) have not had the season that they had hope as they quickly dropped out of the NAIA's top 25 poll, as they started the season at no. 7, after losing their first four games of the season. The Saints did however leave The Dock on Monday night winning the rebounding battle 51-46 as the Saints pulled down 21 offensive rebounds.
Turnovers were not much of a factor but the Pilots 25 turnovers helped the Saints convert 28 points off the Pilot's miscues. The LSUS defense put some pressure on the Saints forcing the 22 takeaways.
Isaac Reid tossed in 10 points before suffering an injury that forced him to leave the game in the second half. He also pulled down six rebounds and had three steals and is not expected to be out long.
In addition to Martinez topping 20 for the Saints Lo'Ron Smith had 23 points in addition to two other scorers reaching double figures.
The contest started with the Pilots making a 16-3 run over the game's first seven minutes but OLLU rallied their way back with an 11-1 run of their own to make the game tight the rest of the way.
The Pilots will be back in action at The Dock on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Jarvis Christian.
