JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University Men's Basketball team made a strong comeback effort Thursday night but was unable to slow a late rally by No. 3 LSU - Shreveport, as the Blazers fell 91-87.

Entering the second half trailing by 11, the Blazers needed nearly 15 minutes to close the gap with the Pilots and did so with a 10-0 run that featured nine points from Jordan Bedford. The 10-0 run, which was capped by two free throws from Bedford, gave the Blazers a one-point lead.

Bedford used 23 second half points to finish with a game high 33. The senior from Covington, La. made four three pointers along with nine free throws to help collect his season high. Bedford also had five rebounds, four assists and a steal in the game.

Despite the efforts of Bedford and the Blazers, the Pilots were able to regain the lead and stay just a head of Belhaven through the remaining five minutes of the contest, handing the Green and Gold its third straight loss to start the campaign, albeit to teams ranked No. 13 and No. 3.

The Blazers jumped out to a quick lead and were able to maintain a small advantage through the first 11 minutes of the game, large in part to 11 points, including a trio of three pointers, from Jerrial Dawson and 10 first half points from Bedford. 

Belhaven opened up a six point lead, but despite controlling the game for a large part of the half, Belhaven hit a cold streak late in the first half and fell behind to the Pilots, entering the locker room at half time with a double-digit deficit.

Four Blazers finished the game in double figures. Datodrick Pinkston finished second behind Bedford's 33 with 12 points, while De'La Mayers scored 10. Dawson was held scoreless in the second half. Mayers also finished the game with three of Belhaven's five blocks.

Belhaven shot 17 percentage points better than Monday night from the free throw line, but the Blazers left some points at the line as they made just 32 of 47 free-throw attempts in the game.

Belhaven was also outrebounded in the contest 47-30 including 12-6 in offensive boards.

The second chance points for LSU-Shreveport proved costly, as the Pilots finished with 24 compared to eight for Belhaven.

Belhaven will look to rebound on Saturday with its first of three contests against Tougaloo this season. Belhaven and Tougaloo will play in the opening game of the City With Soul Classic held at Jackson State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.