BEAUMONT, Texas – The No. 12 Louisiana State University of Alexandria men's basketball team knocked off NCAA DI Lamar University in an exhibition, 83-80.
Kashie Natt led the Generals with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
EJ McQuillan (14),
Keyon Giroir (12),
TJ James (11), and
Brayden Thompson (10) all reached double digits in scoring. LSUA recorded 32 points in the paint, 21 points off turnovers, and 22 second chance points. The Generals tallied 13 steals and committed just nine turnovers, while Lamar totaled 16 turnovers. LSUA also recorded 20 offensive rebounds and held the Cardinals to just 14.
"Great team win," LSUA Head Coach Dimario Jackson said. "Shout out to the coaching staff and the players! Our guys did a good job of staying poised and embracing the moment. Lamar is a really good basketball team. They're one of the top teams in the Southland Conference. Being able to get a win in a tough environment, being down nine at the half shows the resiliency of this team. We have to be better defensively and better at the free throw line."
The Generals climbed back from a 56-44 deficit with 17:29 remaining in the second half to outscore the Cardinals 39-24 in the final 17 minutes of play, including an 18-11 advantage in the final 9:10.
In a span of just 4:54, the Generals went from down 12 to tied at 60-60 – a 16-4 run. McQuillan opened the run with a three, which was followed by a trio of free throws from Natt. After a layup from Lamar, Thompson threw down a dunk to make it 58-52 with 15:45 remaining. McQuillan went back to work 43 seconds later and knocked down another shot from long range to make it a three-point contest.
After a free throw from Thompson, the Cardinals picked up a layup to make it 60-56.
Kaleb Pouncy and Thompson then converted layups 30 seconds apart, tying the game at 60-60.
The next 10 minutes were a seesaw battle as both teams vied for control. LSUA staked out a four-point lead before the Cardinals launched a run of their own, picking up 11 consecutive points and a 72-65 edge with 9:21 to play.
A pair of free throws from McQuillan ended the run and marked the start of an 8-1 run for LSUA, tying the game at 73-73 with 5:40 on the clock. The lead exchanged hands a few more times until Natt knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:26 left in regulation. The first tied the game at 80-80, the second gave LSUA a one-point advantage.
James scored six of LSUA's eight points from 5:40 until Natt's first free throw with 1:26 left on the clock. He converted a pair of free throws and knocked down two shots during the stretch.
Natt was sent to the line again with 11 seconds remaining and converted both his chances, putting the Generals ahead 83-80.
LSUA held the Cardinals scoreless for the final 2:02.
The Generals are back in action on Saturday for their home opener against Loyola New Orleans. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM at The Fort.
