Box Score
SHREVEPORT, La.- For the fourth time this season, a Belhaven men's basketball game went to overtime, but unfortunately the Blazers came up short this time falling at LSU-Shreveport 92-87 Tuesday night. The Blazers have now played two consecutive overtime games, winning 86-85 against Coastal Georgia in OT this past Saturday.

Tuesday's game went back and forth all night as evidenced by 13 ties and 14 lead changes. The largest lead for either team was a six point advantage for Belhaven (4-4) at 26-20 with 8:22 left to go in the first half, following a three point bucket by Jonathan Ratliff. LSU-Shreveport's biggest lead was five points at 52-47 with 16:28 to go in the second half.

The Blazers appeared poised to pull away late in the second half when Datodrick Pinkston drilled a field goal with 3:00 minutes left to make it a 75-70 contest. The Pilots, as they had done on numerous occasions throughout the night, prevented a game clinching run by immediately answering with a three point play from Rydell Harris, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. One of those boards setup Harris's shot after he grabbed an errant three pointer from Rodney Milum.

LSU-Shreveport tied the game at 77-77 on two free throws by Milum with 1:07 remaining in regulation. Chris Cofield quickly sent Belhaven back on top 79-77 on a field goal with 43 seconds left, but was called for a touch foul six seconds later on the ensuing possession by LSUS. The foul put Aaron Jones on the free throw line and he promptly knotted the game at 79 all. Belhaven had one more look at the basket with time winding down as Cofield fired a pass to Curt Hall who was open under the basket. Unfortunately, the ball was bobbled and the window for a shot closed, eventually leading to a shot clock violation that sent the game to overtime.

The Blazers struck first in the extra frame on two free throws by Jordan Butts. However the lead was short lived as Harris came down the floor for LSUS and tied the game with a layup. Following a missed triple by Cofield, Isaac Reid gave the Pilots the lead for good at 84-81 on a three point play. The Blazers got back to within one point with 2:20 left and again at the 1:37 mark, but couldn't get a stop to give them a chance to recapture the edge. LSU-Shreveport sealed the game in the final nine seconds on free throws by Milum and Jones.

Belhaven (4-4) had five players in double figures led by Jonathan Ratliff with 17 points and eight rebounds. Cofield followed with 16 points and eight assists, Dione Milsap had 14 points, Deon Bedford posted a double double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Butts finished with 11 points.

The Blazers had a solid night shooting, hitting 47.3 percent of their field goals (35-74) while drilling 47.1 percent (8-17) of their three point attempts. The Blazers were 9 of 10 at the foul line. Belhaven had a slight edge in rebounding 39-37 and put in 19 second chance points.
“I thought our guys really played their best game of the season offensively,” Belhaven Head Coach John Aiken said after the game. “We had five guys in double figures and two others with eight points. I really like our balance and we had a chance to win in regulation, but the ball just didn't bounce our way on the pass to Hall. I'm proud of our effort and we will get better from this.”

LSU-Shreveport (2-1) was paced by Rodney Milum with 21 points, Isacc Reid had 19 points and Rydell Harris notched a double double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jones had 15 points and Mark Politte ended the contest with 12 points, putting five Pilots in double figures. LSU-Shreveport lived in the paint Tuesday night, scoring 52 of their points on drives to the hoop or on the low blocks. All the high percentage looks enabled the Pilots to knock down 50 percent of their field goals (33-66).

Belhaven will be back in action this weekend for two more big games beginning Friday night at Lindsey Wilson College (KY), starting at 8:00 PM. That contest will be followed by a showdown with Campbellsville University (KY) on Saturday at 2:00 PM. “This weekend will be huge for us as we continue to grow,” added Aiken.

Both games this weekend can be heard on the Blazers Sports Network by clicking here.