LSUS Falls in Tight Road Battle at TAMU-San Antonio, 71-67

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — LSU Shreveport erased a 16-point first-half deficit and battled until the final seconds Thursday night but came up short in a 71-67 decision on the road at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

The Pilots move to 23-4 overall and 19-2 in Red River Athletic Conference play.

LSUS faced early adversity, trailing 25-12 after the first quarter, but regrouped in the second period behind improved defensive intensity and stronger half-court execution. The Pilots chipped away at the deficit and closed the gap to 40-32 by halftime, positioning themselves for a second-half push.

Coming out of the break, LSU Shreveport seized momentum. Ally Fleenor established control inside, scoring through contact and anchoring the defense. Selma Markisic knocked down a key three-pointer to trim the margin before converting a layup at the 3:18 mark of the third quarter to give LSUS its first lead of the game at 48-47. Elaina Burns added a late three-pointer in the quarter to keep the Pilots within striking distance heading into the fourth.

The Pilots continued to respond in the final period. Markisic opened the quarter with a three to tie the game at 56-56, and Toni Coleman's layup with 3:17 remaining knotted the score again at 66-66. LSU Shreveport controlled the glass throughout the contest, outrebounding TAMUSA 49-33 and scoring 38 points in the paint. Despite generating multiple second-chance opportunities in the final minute, the Pilots were unable to convert enough late possessions to complete the comeback.

Fleenor led LSUS with a dominant double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, adding three blocks and three assists. Coleman finished with 15 points, four steals, three assists, and three rebounds, while Markisic added 11 points and four rebounds. Burns recorded nine points and three steals, Amandine L'Etang contributed six points, seven rebounds, and five blocks, and Katie Ambrose filled the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, and six assists.

Texas A&M-San Antonio was paced by Kierra Sanderlin's 23 points, along with Aniyah Lewis' 19 points and TaMya Whitemon's 12. Evelyn Lorenzo added six assists and three steals as the Jaguars capitalized at the free-throw line in the closing moments.

LSU Shreveport returns to action Saturday as the Pilots continue their road trip at Our Lady of the Lake University. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.

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