Free Throw Line Dooms LSUS Lady Pilots at No. 6 Langston

LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- The LSU Shreveport Lady Pilots almost slipped past and the 6th-ranked Langston Lionesses on Saturday night but their inability to make shots at the free throw line cost them dearly as the Lionesses escaped with a 77-73 win and their 15th-consecutive win on the season to remain undefeated. Erica Noel (JR/Carencro, Louisiana) and Kourtney Pennywell (SO/Shreveport, Louisiana) combined for 49 of the Lady Pilots' points.

"I am so proud of the effort these players gave tonight," said LSUS head coach Valerie Huizar. "They fought hard the entire 40 minutes. This team plays hard for each other. We just have to keep tweaking some things and keep getting better."

LSUS falls to 8-7 overall and 5-3 in Red River Athletic Conference action while no. 6 Langston improves to 15-0 and 7-0 in RRAC play.

"The free throw line has been a bit of an Achilles heel for us this year," said coach Huizar whose Lady Pilots made only five of 16 attempts from the charity stripe while Langston hit 13 of 17. But in every other aspect of the game LSUS was as good as or better than the nationally-ranked home squad. Langston shot 45-percent from the field compared to the Lady Pilots 44-percent. Langston had eight makes from beyond the arc while LSUS shot 54-percent (6-11).

The rebounding battle finished with both teams grabbing a total of 40 rebounds.

The LSUS defense was a little stiffer forcing 13 turnovers compared to just 10 committed by the Lady Pilots.

Pennywell turned in her usual double-double with game highs of 25 points and 13 rebounds while Noel pitched in 24 points going 10 of 16 from the field including four of six from downtown. Pennywell was 11 of 26 shooting from the field.

The only other double-digit scorer for the Lady Pilots was Sierra Contreras (JR/Austin, Texas) who added 11 points after a four of seven night from the field including two of four from beyond the arc and also had the game high of seven assists. The rest of the scorers for the Lady Pilots included Myeisha Williams (JR/New Waverly, Texas) with seven points and Ariel Harrell (SR/Jonesboro, Louisiana) with six.

Lynette Holmes had a double-double for Langston with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Jewel Rogers (19) and T'Keya Mason (12) also had double digits.

The Lady Pilots will be back in action this coming Tuesday (Jan. 20) at The Dock as they take on LSU Alexandria in RRAC action at 5:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY LSU SHREVEPORT ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS