UTPB takes home first-ever LSC Tournament title - Mar 6, 2017

Welcome to the Lone Star Conference, UT Permian Basin.
Not only did the Falcons claim the LSC regular-season title, garner most of the individual honors such as Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, but they ran away with their first-ever LSC Tournament Championship, cutting down the nets after a 93-85 win over Angelo State Sunday in the finals at Allen Event Center.
The Falcons (26-5) had six players in double-figure scoring, led by Johnnie Lacy (6'0''-G)'s 24 points. Lacy drilled five 3-pointers, including three straight on three possessions in the first half to help UTPB gain control of the fast-paced game.
The eight-point win was UTPB's closest game of its three wins in the tournament, but the Falcons stayed in control for most of the way. Although ASU did slice the lead to five at one point in the final four minutes, the Falcons answered the bell every time with either a clutch 3-pointer or free throws.
Daeshon Francis (6'4''-G), the league's Player of the Year, also garnered tournament MVP honors after scoring 16 points with six rebounds and five assists. Francis made 12 of 15 free throws. James McPherson (6'1''-G) scored 17, Andres Villa (6'5''-F) added 12 off the bench and Sammy Allen III (6'2''-G) and Josh Morris (6'7''-F) each scored 10.
UTPB not only dominated the free-throw stripe, making 34 of 42 attempts, but shot 52.9 percent from the 3-point line (9 of 17). ASU shot 31 times beyond the arc, making just nine.
Joining Francis on the all-tournament team were McPherson, Lacy and Allen, who had 33 rebounds in the three games. ASU's Quay King, who scored 24 points, rounded out the all-tourney team.
Devonte Pratt (6'1''-G) scored 19 for ASU, who also got 10 off the bench from Shaquan Rhoades (6'2''-G).
The season ends for the Rams, who made a valiant run to the finals here in Allen for the third straight year. As the No. 7 seed, ASU (17-13) knocked off Tarleton State on Thursday, then Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday and attempted to become the lowest-seeded team to win this tourney since it went to a neutral site in 2008.
The Falcons, who entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in the region, will cruise into next week's regional tournament.

UT Permian Basin Notes
UT Permian Basin claimed the LSC Tournament Title their first year in the league
UTPB is now 16-1 over its last 17 games and has won seven straight
Johnnie Lacy (6'0''-G) scored a game-high 24 points and matched his season-high with five three-pointers
Josh Morris (6'7''-F) recorded his second double-double on the season with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds
Six Falcons scored in double figures
Lacy, Sammy Allen III (6'2''-G) III, James McPherson (6'1''-G) and Daeshon Francis (6'4''-G) were named to the All-Tournament Team with Francis earning MVP honors

Angelo State Notes
Angelo State is now 22-27 in the LSC Tournament all-time
The Rams are now 3-6 in the tournament final after reaching the championship game for the third consecutive year.
Quay King earned a spot on the all-tournament team leading the Rams with 24 points.

LSC Tournament Final: UT Permian Basin - Angelo State 93-85
LSC Tournament Semifinals:
UT Permian Basin - Texas A&M-Commerce 76-63
Angelo State - Texas A&M-Kingsville 74-60

Courtesy of LoneStarConference