JOURNAL SPORTS
Hayden Brittingham erupted for 38 points and Emareyon McDonald poured in 31 Saturday as the LSU Shreveport Pilots blasted visiting Texas A&M University–San Antonio, 113-84, to stay unbeaten through 12 Red River Athletic Conference games.
The Pilots improved to 15-3 overall while the Jaguars dropped to 4-14 overall and 3-9 in league action.
LSUS led 52-39 at halftime and took complete control after intermission. Brittingham opened the second half with a string of finishes in the paint, and the Pilots’ pressure defense forced turnovers that quickly turned into points on the other end. The Pilots stretched the lead past 30 midway through the half.
Brittingham recorded his eighth double-double, collecting 12 rebounds to go along with four assists and four steals. McDonald delivered a standout all-around performance with nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Thaddeus Johnson added 17 points and nine rebounds, helping anchor the Pilots’ inside presence.
LSUS shot 57.5 percent from the field and committed just eight turnovers.
LSUS WOMEN ALSO PERFECT IN RRAC: An explosive opening quarter and steady execution on both ends of the floor lifted the Pilots to a 71-63 win over one of the RRAC’s stronger teams, Texas A&M University–San Antonio.
The victory moved the Pilots to 16-2 overall and 12-0 in RRAC play. TAMUSA dropp to 13-5 overall and 10-2 in conference action.
LSU Shreveport set the tone early, racing out to a 25-6 lead after the first quarter behind sharp perimeter shooting and relentless offensive rebounding. The Pilots carried that momentum into the second quarter, building a 46-14 halftime advantage. TAMUSA chipped away in the second half, but LSUS never allowed the Jaguars to close the gap enough to shift control.
Selma Markisic led the Pilots with 26 points, three rebounds, and three assists, pacing an offense that shot 46.6 percent from the field. Sami Slusarek tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while Amandie Le’Etang recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
GENTS SPLIT ON ROAD: The Centenary men’s basketball team got a split of its Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference road games Friday and Saturday, beating Austin College and losing to Dallas Saturday, both by 68-63 scores..
The Gents (3-11, 2-4 SCAC) began with a win led by two freshmen. Natchitoches Central product Jaden Braden scoring 19 and Kane Broussard of Iowa (La.) added 17. Saturday, senior Quentin Beverly poured in 25.
LADIES TUMBLE AGAIN: The Centenary women’s basketball team lost 72-52 to the University of Dallas Crusaders on Saturday evening. Coupled with a 78-54 defeat Friday at Austin College, the Ladies (2-12, 1-5 SCAC) have now lost seven straight.