Thursday, November 17, 2016

Texas Southern Shocks Rice Owls 71-68 Behind Lofton's 26 Points

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HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern won its second straight game as Zach Lofton scored a game high 26 points and blocked a 3-point shot attempt as time expired helping hand TSU a 71-68 victory over the Rice Owls on Wednesday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Texas Southern secured the lead for good with roughly 17 minutes left in regulation, as they led by as many as seven points during the contest.

The Owls would subsequently make the game interesting as Marcus Evans converted a 3-pointer to pull Rice to 69-68 with 45 seconds left.

After both teams missed shots on their next possessions TSU's Kevin Scott made a pair of free throws before Lofton blocked Marcus Jackson's final heave at a game tying 3-point attempt.

Lofton was 10-of-27 from the field and made three 3-pointers. Derrick Griffin had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Texas Southern (2-1).

"I was really happy we got the win for TSU as a university because we're both from Houston," said Lofton. "They don't expect us to come in and beat another mid-major school. That was big for me that we got the win for them."

With the win TSU head coach Mike Davis adds yet another impressive win to his TSU coaching resume. The Tigers program has also beaten the likes of Temple and Michigan State during Davis tenure as head coach.

Davis had his team primed for an upset on Wednesday night as the Tigers came out aggressive to start the second half of play. Davis was intent on keeping his team focused on their intensity level after watching film of the Owls win over James Madison.

"They were up four or five at the half and they ended up winning by 24," Davis said of the Owls win over James Madison. "We were really conscious of not coming out going too slow. Push the basketball in transition. Try to get some earlier baskets if we could."

The Tigers will now get set to travel and face LaSalle on November 19th in Philadelphia.

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