COMMERCE, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team fell 70-53 against East Texas A&M Monday afternoon in the Field House.
SLU (8-19, 5-13 SLC) suffered its second straight loss on the road against East Texas A&M (11-17, 6-12 SLC) to close out the week. Southeastern struggled to find its offensive rhythm throughout the contest as the hosts held the lead the majority of the game. The green and gold were unable to overcome East Texas A&M's decisive second half surge to secure the victory.
Two Lions ended the game in double-figures led by Jalen Forrest with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. Forrest returned for his second straight game leading Southeastern in scoring, shooting 3-10 from the field and 6-9 from the free throw line. Jeremy Elyzee followed with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists, finishing 4-1- from the field and 3-5 from behind the arc.
Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines chipped in seven points with 10 rebounds to lead SLU on the boards while Makhi Myles and CJ Booker added in six points apiece. The Lions gained solid production from key reserves to contribute 23 bench points while claiming 18 paint points and nine second chance points against East Texas A&M.
The green and gold struck first in the contest as Myles and Gaines contributed the early momentum for the visitors, but East Texas A&M quickly responded as Tay Mosher (12 points) fueled a run to help take the lead, 6-5. Southeastern fell into a six-minute scoring drought as the hosts worked to capitalize and extend their lead midway through the first half, 21-8. Gianni Hunt (15 points) and Damian Garcia (14 points) proved to be problems for SLU in the opening period as they helped East Texas A&M pull away late in the half, 31-15.
The Lions' offensive struggles continued, working to find their rhythm on the road, but East Texas A&M remained relentless on its attack, securing 18 paint points and 11 points off turnovers. The visitors closed out the half shooting 50.0 percent from the field with a 35-20 edge going into the halftime break. Southeastern ended the opening period shooting 28.6 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from the three-point line and 50.0 percent from the charity stripe.
East Texas A&M returned from the halftime break with the same intensity as it converted on back-to-back fast break opportunities in transition, 41-23. SLU battled to cut into its deficit, but the hosts remained in the driver seat with all the momentum on its home court. Ronnie Harrison (14 points) also stepped up for East Texas A&M in the second half, Forrest responded with his own momentum in the final period to bring the game within reach, 41-29.
The hosts fought to limit every opportunity for Southeastern, but the visitors continued to battle forcing their opponents into eight turnovers in the second half. East Texas A&M refused to loosen the grip on its lead as it remained aggressive to post 18 paint posts in the half, 58-39. Forrest, Elyzee and Booker worked to fuel a run for SLU midway through the second half, but the hosts held all the momentum the remainder of the contest.
Though Southeastern gained its composure in the second half, shooting 38.5 percent from the three-point line, its struggles to convert around the rim continued. East Texas A&M pulled away by 22 points, 68-46, late in the half as the Lions could not find a consistent offensive groove. SLU closed out the contest shooting 29.3 percent from the field, 32.0 percent from the three-point line and 61.1 percent from the free throw line.
Southeastern will return to Hammond, America for a two-game homestand against UTRGV Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Both matchups will be streamed on ESPN+.
Fans are encouraged to support SLU's six seniors Feb. 21 for Senior Day to honor their contributions to the program. Supporters are also urged to cheer on the Lions against the Islanders Feb. 23 for the White Out game.
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
