Pilots Set for Early Morning Showdown Against Texas A&M-Texarkana in RRAC Tournament

SHREVEPORT, La. –

The postseason spotlight shines bright on the LSU Shreveport Pilots as they gear up for a pivotal first-round showdown against Texas A&M University-Texarkana in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament. Tip-off is set for Friday, February 28, at 8 a.m. at Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Louisiana.

LSUS (18-10, 15-9 RRAC) enters the tournament on a scorching hot streak, having won three straight and six of their last seven, including a statement 101-96 upset over top-seeded LSU Alexandria to close the regular season. With momentum on their side and one of the most explosive offenses in the RRAC, the Pilots are primed for a deep postseason run.

Pilots Flying High

LSUS has built its success on a high-powered offense, averaging 87.9 points per game while hitting a blistering 41.3% from beyond the arc. When the Pilots get rolling, they can put up points in a hurry, as seen in their recent win over LSUA. However, rebounding and defense remain areas of concern, with the team allowing 81.3 points per game and being outworked on the glass by a -5.0 margin.

Leading the charge is Taj Anderson, the RRAC's leading scorer, who's putting up 20.2 points per game on an efficient 51.9% from the field and 44.7% from three-point range. The Pilots boast a deep supporting cast, with Davion Coleman (14.4 PPG), Trey Boston (12.6 PPG), Tyler Washington (11.6 PPG), and Melvion Flanagan (10.1 PPG) all averaging double figures.

Boston is the team's primary playmaker with 113 assists, while Anderson sets the tone defensively with 57 steals. Washington provides rim protection with 23 blocks, leading the team in rebounding at 5.7 boards per game.

Eagles Soaring into Postseason

Texas A&M-Texarkana (19-9, 16-8 RRAC) comes into the tournament as one of the conference's hottest teams, winning seven of their last eight games. The Eagles wrapped up the regular season with a 71-65 victory over North American University, proving they can grind out tough wins.

Unlike LSUS, which thrives on a high-octane offense, TAMUT plays a more balanced game. The Eagles average 79.8 points per game while allowing just 72.9, holding opponents to a 40.9% shooting percentage. They also hold a slight rebounding edge over their opponents at 34.1 to 34.0 per game.

Deovaunta Williams leads the Eagles with 13.8 points per game, shooting 46.9% from the field. Daryl Houston (10.0 PPG) is another key scorer, knocking down 52.8% of his shots. Payton Chism controls the offense with 87 assists, while Raymond Moore (23 blocks) and Williams (40 steals) anchor the defense. Houston leads TAMUT on the glass, pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game.

Keys to the Game

For LSUS, the key to victory will be dictating the pace and turning the game into a track meet. If the Pilots can knock down their threes early and force TAMUT into a shootout, their offensive firepower should be enough to push them into the semifinals. However, they'll need to limit second-chance opportunities for the Eagles, who are capable of controlling the glass.

TAMUT, on the other hand, will look to slow the game down and make LSUS work for every bucket. If the Eagles can control the tempo, win the rebounding battle, and force the Pilots into tough shots, they'll have a chance to pull off the win.

LIVE STREAMS
All games will be live streamed by Antler Sports Network, the official and exclusive live stream provider for the RRACB Basketball Championship. Games are available online at antlersn.com or on any Roku device.
 
LIVE STATS
Live stats will be provided for all RRAC Tournament games and links will be available on the RRAC Tournament page.
 
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Laborde Earles Coliseum box office. Online tickets can be purchased HERE.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information and updates on LSUS Athletics please visit lsusathletics.com, 'like' us on Facebook at LSU Shreveport Athletics or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lsusathletics.