LSU Shreveport used a balanced three-headed scoring effort to defeat LSU Alexandria 87-70 in the RRAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon at Laborde Earles Coliseum.
LSUS has won six tournament trophies, more than any current members of the RRAC. LSUA has won five.
The Pilots led 39-32 at halftime and methodically pulled away after the break, outscoring the Generals 48-38 in the second half to secure the 17-point victory. LSUS' efficiency proved to be the difference, as the Pilots shot 49.1 percent from the field (27-of-55) compared with 31.7 percent (20-of-63) for LSUA. LSUS also controlled the glass with a 41-39 rebounding edge and converted 28-of-41 free throws, while the Generals finished 23-of-36 at the line.
RRAC All-Conference Second-Team guard Emareyon McDonald (6'2''-G), Newcomer of the Year sophomore Khi Wallace (6'5''-F), and junior James Johnson (6'8''-F) each scored 22 points to power LSUS. McDonald went 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-9 from three-point range while adding eight rebounds. Wallace provided an efficient spark, hitting 8-of-9 shots and grabbing five boards. Johnson anchored the interior with a double-double, posting 22 points and 10 rebounds while going 10-of-11 at the free-throw line. RRAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year Hayden Brittingham (6'5''-F) added 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
LSUS' balance extended beyond its leading trio. The Pilots finished with 15 assists on 27 made field goals and received 27 points from their bench, helping them maintain control even when dealing with foul trouble - they were whistled for 27 personal fouls. Defensively, the Pilots altered the game at the rim with five blocks and limited LSUA to 16 points in the paint, forcing the Generals to settle for perimeter looks.
LSUA stayed within striking distance for much of the first half before LSUS' offense began to impose its will. The Generals struggled to convert from beyond the arc, shooting 7-of-28 (25.0 percent) from three-point range, and could not fully capitalize on their 13 offensive rebounds. They committed only six turnovers and produced 24 bench points, but the shooting disparity and LSUS' ability to get to the line consistently created too large a margin.
RRAC All-Conference First Team junior EJ McQuillan (6'4''-G) led LSUA with 22 points, finishing 6-of-19 from the field, 3-of-9 from deep, and 7-of-10 at the line. All-Conference Honorable Mention junior TJ James (6'5''-G) gave the Generals a strong presence inside, recording 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. LSUA also collected seven steals and matched LSUS on the boards for stretches, but the Pilots' 34-16 advantage in points in the paint underscored the gap in efficiency near the basket.
The win gives LSUS the RRAC tournament trophy and momentum, as they have earned an automatic bid to the Opening Round of the 88th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship, scheduled for March 19-24 at campus sites. The Pilots are currently 26-2. LSUA exits after a performance defined by effort on the glass and at the defensive end, but hampered by cold shooting on a neutral floor. The Generals end their season with an overall record of 23-8.

Final:
LSU Shreveport - LSU Alexandria 87-70

Semis:
LSU Shreveport - A&M-Texarkana 71-55
LSU Alexandria - Xavier 77-73

Courtesy of redriverconference.com