LSUS Celebrates Senior Day with Wire-to-Wire Win Against Xavier

SHREVEPORT, La. -- On Senior Day Saturday afternoon, the LSU Shreveport women's basketball team celebrated its veterans with a 73-65 victory over Xavier University of Louisiana.

With the win, LSUS improves to 23-3 overall and 19-1 in RRAC play and secures the RRAC Regular Season Championship. The Gold Nuggets fall to 16-10 and 12-8 in conference action.

Before tipoff, seniors Selma Markisic, Paula Gonzalez Herrero, and Esra Sen were honored in a pregame ceremony, and the Pilots delivered a performance fitting of the occasion.

LSUS set the tone early, opening on an 11-0 run and holding Xavier scoreless for nearly five minutes. The Pilots forced turnovers, controlled the paint, and built an 18-10 lead after the first quarter.

Toni Coleman led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, six steals, and two assists as LSUS carried a 33-22 advantage into halftime. The Pilots forced 10 first-half turnovers and converted defensive pressure into transition opportunities.

Midway through the third quarter, LSUS pushed its lead to 19 points — its largest of the afternoon. Katie Ambrose filled the stat sheet with 16 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Ally Fleenor added 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Amandine L'Etang chipped in 10 points and six rebounds as the Pilots shot 47.5 percent from the field and scored 38 points in the paint.

Xavier mounted a late fourth-quarter push, cutting the deficit to single digits in the final minutes, but LSUS remained composed down the stretch to close out the win.

For the Gold Nuggets, Alicia Blanton recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Tiarra Tillison added 14 points, and Fatima Katembo contributed 10.

The Pilots will return to action on Feb. 19 as they travel to face Texas A&M University–San Antonio. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

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