Ball movement, cross-court vision and unselfish play allowed the University of St. Thomas men’s basketball team to secure an 83-76 win over Louisiana State University-Shreveport on Feb. 23. UST has moved up to No. 19 in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics, just above LSUS.

 

St. Thomas stormed out to an 18-3 lead to start the game and looked like they might blow out LSUS. The LSU-Shreveport Pilots stayed tough and battled back to make it a 35-34 game at halftime. In the second half, the Pilots seemed to have the Celts on the ropes, but UST proved that teamwork and defensive prowess gave them the edge. St. Thomas finished off the Pilots at the free throw line assuring a victory for their final home game of the season.

 

Senior point guard Travis Lampley had 15 assists for the 15^th game this season. He is still leading the country in assists per game, with 9.6, and overall assists, with 283. Junior Bryan Kaase was a force both offensively and defensively leading the Celts with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Seniors Caleb Williams and Adrian Morales finished their home careers with 20 and 13 points respectively. Also, senior Barrett Lauer added 8 points.

 

The Pilots were led by Houstonians Mark Politte, with 23 points, and Rodney Milum, who had 18. San Jacinto High School graduate Brandon Davis also had 23 points for the Pilots.

 

The Celts finished their 2012-13 home schedule 11- 2. Currently, St. Thomas is 23-6 overall and 16-5 in the Red River Athletic Conference and tied for second with LSU-Shreveport.

 

The Celts’ last regular season game is Feb.26 at Wiley College.

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Pictured: Bryan Kaase