LSUS Drops Conference Opener to Xavier, 98-86
12/12/03

LSUS hit the court tonight against the Xavier College Gold Rush in their first conference game of the year. Early in the first half LSUS jumped ahead with a 14 point lead, but saw themselves down by a score of 50-48 at the break.

Rico Payne had his way with the Xavier defense in the first half scoring 19 points and collecting 5 rebounds. The Gold Rush offense was sparked by Mark Stewart and his 12 points from behind the three point line.

The high powered Xavier offense had five players in double figures, led by Drionne Majors and his 21 points. LSUS finished with six players marking the score sheet with double digits. Rico Payne finished with 19, Derrick Rogers 17, Derrick Sowell 17, and Travis Cash had 16 points and also led the Pilots with 11 rebounds. Freshman guards Freddy Hughes and Chavis Rose came off the bench and scored 10 points a piece for the Pilots.

The Pilots will be in Jackson, Mississippi to face the Belhaven Blazers December 18 at 7:30pm. LSUS will be at home again January 8, 2004, when they will host Tougaloo College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Issued by Allan Cantwell (sports@lsus.edu)