JOURNAL SPORTS

The earlier-than-ever NCAA Division I basketball season tipped off Monday, while in the NAIA ranks LSUS picked up its second victory on a buzzer-beating layup.

PILOTS 73, OKLAHOMA CITY 72 – In Richardson, Texas, Thaddeus Johnson’s basket at the final buzzer lifted the LSU Shreveport men improved to 2-0 on the season.

The Pilots had a double-digit lead down the stretch and weathered a fierce comeback by Oklahoma City, which took the lead on a basket with five seconds to go. Johnson scored the game-winner inside as time expired.

Kiki Wallace led the way for the Pilots with a double-double performance, scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to go along with strong defensive play. Hayden Brittingham followed closely behind with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Johnson scored 7.

LSUS sank 54 percent from the field and dominated inside with a 36-18 advantage on points in the paint while and outrebounding the Stars 40-33 and holding them to 33 percent shooting.

Other college scores Monday:

Grambling men 91, Huston-Tillotson 47

Texas A&M men 98, Northwestern State 68

Southeastern Louisiana women 105, Centenary 48

Nebraska women 103, Northwestern State 46