Pilots End Season at Sweet 16

Kansas City, MO - After an impressive run to the NAIA Sweet 16, the Pilot's season ends with a 78-61 loss to the No.1 ranked Langston Lions. The Pilots won their first two games at the National Tournament, but could not find the hot shooting that got them to Kansas City in the much larger Municipal Auditorium. 

The Pilots and Lions faced off back in December in a highly contested top 5 battle between the two powerhouses that ultimately saw the Lions pull ahead late and win in overtime. Under the bright lights of the National Tournament the Pilots came to Kansas City seeking revenge. Jumping out early, the Pilots found themselves with an early lead, but the Lions were not going to go away quietly and quickly came back to tie it. The half was filled with fouls and stoppages as neither team was able to put together any kind of momentum. Cold shooting from the Pilots allowed the half to end with Langston clinging to a nine point lead. Scoring was spread evenly throughout the Pilots in the first half with Melvion Flanagan leading the way with seven, but the team only shot 11% from three and 40% from the field.

The second half was much of the same as the first half with very physical play by each team. The Pilots continued to struggle from the outside and they saw the Langston lead continue to grow. With seven minutes left, the Pilots trailed by 22 and things were starting to look dim. However, not willing to see their season end without a fight, they put on the full court press. They made up 12 points in under four minutes, and with three minutes remaining in the game were able to cut the lead to 10. Momentum had shifted and the sped-up Lions began showing signs of concern. The Pilots needed a few late three pointers to drop and were able to find some good looks, but today it wasn't meant to be. Shooting just 1-7 from three in the second half, LSUS couldn't do enough to get over the hump and complete the upset. The game, and ultimately the season ended for LSUS with a 78-61 loss. 

LSUS was led in scoring by CJ Carpenter as he finished the day with 14 points, followed closely by Damon Davis and Josh LeBlanc who both finished with 12. The Pilots shot 42% from the field and a season low 13% (2-16) from the three point line. LSUS finished the season 24-9 completing their 20th consecutive trip to the National Tournament and third straight trip to the Sweet 16. 

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