Jan. 15, 2005

Rams Escape With 108-101 Victory Over Pilots

By: Allen Cantwell - LSUS Sports Information

SHREVEPORT, La.--The 11th-ranked LSUS Pilots played host to the 16th-ranked University of Mobile Rams Saturday night in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Action. Despite trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half, LSUS trailed by four with 1:30 remaining. The Pilots struggled from the free throw line down the stretch and fell to the Rams 108-101.

In the first half, the Rams shot 49 percent from the field and found most of their success from beyond the three point line connecting on 8-of-16 attempts. Rams Tremaine Perry led all scorers in the half with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Chris Bolden had 11 points and Gimel Lewis pitched in with eight points and four rebounds.

Derrick Rogers led the Pilots with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and pulled down a team high six rebounds. Fredericko Payne connected on 3-of-5 three point attempts and finished with 11 points. The Pilots shot 46 percent from the field and connected on 6-of-13 three point attempts. The Pilots struggled from the free throw line making only 8-of-13 attempts.

The Rams looked as though they had things wrapped up as they led by 20 points with 8:00 remaining, however the pilots cut the lead to five with 1:40 left and were at the free throw line for two shots. The Pilots could not capitalize from the free throw line down the stretch as they missed on four attempts in the last 1:30 of the game. The Rams went on to defeat the Pilots 108-101.

Tramaine Perry led the Rams offense with 40 points, followed by Gimel Lewis' 15, Ravi Amunagama 's 14 and Chris Bolden's 13. The Rams shot 66 percent from the field in the second half and finished shooting 57 percent for the game. From beyond the three point line the Rams were 14-25, and were 16-29 from the free throw line.

Fredericko Payne led the Pilots with 32 points and five steals on 10-of-22 shooting. Payne connected on a game high 8-of-15 three point attempts. Derrick Rogers finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, while teammate Justin Collins pitched in with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. LSUS finished shooting 46 percent from the field and made 12-of-28 three point attempts. The Pilots finished 29-of-40 from the free throw line.

The Rams improve to 16-3 with the victory and are now on top of the GCAC at 5-0. The Pilots are now second at 5-1 in conference play, 14-6 overall. The two teams will see each other again on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Pharr Gymnasium on the University of Mobile campus. The Rams will next have to contend, however, with a tough Xavier University team that last year defeated the Rams in double overtime on their home court. The Rams are set to tip-off against the Gold Rush on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

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