JOURNAL STAFF
The LSUS men’s basketball team defeated University of Pikeville 78-73 Wednesday afternoon to win the NAIA Tournament’s Alexandria Bracket and earn a return trip to the national tournament in Kansas City.
The Pilots (26-7) didn’t need another second-half comeback like the night before as they led 37-27 at halftime and extended the lead to 20 in the second half 50-30. The Bears, out of Kentucky, wouldn’t go away, closing the gap to 56-50 with a little more than seven minutes left.
LSUS pushed the lead back out to 13 (71-58) with 3:26 left and held off a late Pikeville rally that got as close as 77-73 with nine seconds left.
Calvin Carpenter led the Pilots with 20 points. Jalen Brooks had another double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds. Damon Davis poured in 16 as well and Devonte Snow rounded out the Pilots’ double-digit scorers with 12.
It will be the fifth visit to the Round of 16 for LSUS under the leadership of coach Kyle Blankenship. The Pilots will be trying to reach the round of eight for just the fourth time in school history.
