SHREVEPORT, LA---The Mustangs took a 10 point lead into halftime against the number 3 team in the country, but were unable to hold on as they fell to #3 LSU-Shreveport 80-74. The loss puts the Mustangs conference record at 11-6 and 16-11 overall. 

Despite the loss, Head Coach Cory Hitchcock is proud of the way his guys played and knows this will only make his squad stronger moving forward. "The guys battled and played hard against one of the top teams in the nation tonight. We just couldn't finish it in the second half. I'm confident in these guys and know they will bounce back ready to go on Saturday. I love the fact we are playing two top 10 teams in the same week. Gets us ready and prepared for the tournament."

The Mustangs held LSU-S to only 35 first half points while scoring 45 of their own. But the Pilots came out hot in the 2nd half outscoring the Mustangs 45-29 to pull away. The Mustangs were led by guard Akeem Black who scored 19 points on 8-18 shooting. Thurbil Bile (14 points) and Joshua Harris (13 points) were the only other Mustangs in double-figures. 

USW shot 57.8% in the 1st half, but couldn't keep their shooting pace in the 2nd half as they were 13-30 (43.3%) from the field. The Mustangs only got to the free throw line 8 times in the contest. 

The Mustangs take on LSU-Alexandria on Saturday afternoon in their final regular season game of the season. This will be the final game for the Mustangs before next week's conference tournament.