LSU Shreveport pulls away from Texas A&M–Texarkana 71-53 in RRAC men’s tournament

LSU Shreveport methodically pulled away from Texas A&M–Texarkana for a 71-53 victory in the Red River Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament Saturday night at the Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria, Louisiana.

The Pilots used a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring to control the tempo for most of the game, building a working margin by halftime and keeping the Eagles at arm’s length the rest of the way. Shreveport limited Texarkana’s perimeter looks, forced contested drives in the lane and consistently finished possessions on the defensive glass, preventing the Eagles from generating second-chance points that might have shifted momentum.

Texas A&M–Texarkana stayed within range through the early stages, but LSU Shreveport put together the first significant run late in the first half. The Pilots turned a series of stops into transition opportunities, converting layups and free throws to push the lead into double digits heading to the break. Texarkana’s offense, which opened with decent ball movement, cooled as Shreveport tightened its closeouts and funneled drivers into help.

The Eagles tried to respond out of halftime by increasing pressure and attacking earlier in the shot clock, briefly trimming the deficit, but Shreveport answered with composed half-court possessions. The Pilots repeatedly worked the ball inside, drawing contact and getting to the foul line, while also knocking down timely mid-range jumpers to blunt any potential Texarkana surge. Each time the Eagles threatened with a small run, Shreveport strung together a couple of scores and a key stop to restore a comfortable cushion.

As the second half wore on, LSU Shreveport’s depth and defensive consistency became more evident. The Pilots mixed in occasional pressure of their own, disrupting Texarkana’s rhythm and forcing the Eagles deeper into the shot clock. With perimeter shots still not falling at a high rate for Texarkana, the Eagles had difficulty mounting the kind of extended scoring run necessary to erase the deficit.

By the closing minutes, LSU Shreveport was firmly in control, managing the clock and possessions while limiting fouls and turnovers. The 71-53 final reflected the Pilots’ ability to control both ends over the full 40 minutes, while Texas A&M–Texarkana was left to rely on short spurts that never developed into a sustained comeback.

The win advances LSU Shreveport in the Red River Athletic Conference men’s tournament bracket, setting up a higher-stakes matchup as the Pilots continue their push for a conference title and potential postseason berth. Texas A&M–Texarkana, meanwhile, exits the tournament after being held to 53 points, underscoring how the Eagles’ offense struggled to consistently solve Shreveport’s half-court defense on a neutral floor.