Pilots open basketball season with 86-69 win over Bethel 11/06/03

As the LSUS men’s basketball team huddled around head coach Chad McDowell before taking the floor for their first contest of the year they roared, “1-2-3-TOGETHER!” The Pilots went on to win the tip-off resulting in a lay-up and their first basket by Rico Payne, and they never looked back.

Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark., was the neutral site for the LSUS season opener against Bethel College, which entered the contest sporting a 1-1 record. After an outstanding first half on both ends of the court, the Pilots enjoyed a 47-24 lead in the locker room at halftime. All five starters for the Pilots scored in the first half to go along with forcing 17 turnovers by Bethel College, of McKenzie, Tenn..

The second half proved to be more of the same as the Pilots continued their up-tempo style of play. Payne and Derrick Rogers led the offensive charge by pouring in 21 points apiece. Derrick Sowell played a strong game pitching in with 19 points, along with Travis Cash and his 16 points and eight rebounds.

Bethel College’s Third Team NAIA All-American from last season Derek Woods had the team high 15 points for the Wildcats. The Pilots' well rounded scoring attack and strong team defensive effort, however, took the Pilots to their first win of the year with a final score of 86-69. LSUS takes the floor tomorrow afternoon versus Tip-Off Classic host Central Baptist College at 3 p.m.

Issued by Allan Cantwell (sports@lsus.edu)