Pilots not 'Demonized,' but drop contest, 88-80
11/25/03

The LSUS Pilots were defeated by Northwestern State University Tuesday night, 88-80. While the loss puts LSUS at 3-4 on the season, their performance put LSUS on the map. Going into the game with the Demons, many people did not expect much out of the first-year NAIA upstarts from LSUS taking on the NCAA Division I program from Natchitoches. And, nobody expected LSUS to control the first half and lead the contest with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

When Northwestern won the opening tip-off, LSUS fell back into a 2-3 zone defense that started just below the free throw line. By forcing Northwestern to keep the ball out on the perimeter, the Pilots forced the Demons to take shots from outside the key. This defensive approach by Chad McDowell allowed his team to compete against the much taller opponent. At the end of the first half, the scoreboard was knotted at 38.

In the second half, Northwestern saw the return of former player Fredericko Payne, who transferred to LSUS this year from Northwestern as a sophomore. The Pilots guard was a thorn in his former coach's side the entire game as he picked apart the Demons' defense for 31 points on 11 of 23 shooting, including a 7 for 11 shooting performance from beyond the
three point line.

As the two teams headed down the stretch, the game turned into a battle from the free throw line. The Pilots struggled for the second night in a row from the line, finishing only 10 of 21 in the game. Northwestern pulled away from the Pilots by making 17-23 attempts from the line in the second half. Clifton Lee carried the load for the Demons' offense with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Derrick Rogers finished with 23 points for the Pilots and teammate Derrick Sowell finished another solid performance with 10 points.

Tonight's game didn't add to the Pilots' numbers in the win column, but opponents are beginning to notice that what the Pilots give up in size on the court night in and night out is made up for with effort, teamwork and heart.

The Pilots look to build on tonight's performance next Monday night when they will travel to Jackson, Miss., to face Milsaps College.

Issued by Allan Cantwell (sports@lsus.edu)