FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LSU-SHREVEPORT OUTLASTS CUMBERLAND (KY.) IN DOUBLE OVERTIME, 79-75

      (Kansas City, Mo.)— Louisiana State University-Shreveport needed two overtimes to post a 79-75 victory against Cumberland College (Ky.) in the first round of the 2005 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship Thursday at Municipal Auditorium. 

      Derrick Rogers collected a team-high 20 points as the Pilots won the first multiple-overtime game at the national tournament in four years, when Lubbock Christian University (Texas) edged Georgetown College (Ky.), 92-91, in the 2001 tournament. LSU-Shreveport, now 27-8 overall, moves into Friday’s second round to face either John Brown University (Ark.) or Union University (Tenn.) at 8 p.m. CST.

        Cumberland’s James Elder buried a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 57-57. The Patriots trailed 66-64 late in the first overtime when Elder scored in the lane with three seconds left to force the second overtime. The Pilots finally pulled away in the final minute of the second extra period, scoring five straight points to grab a 77-72 lead with 25 seconds on the clock.

        Elder scored and was fouled with 18 seconds remaining, and his free throw helped Cumberland close the gap to 77-75. Fredericko Payne was fouled on the inbounds play, and his two free throws extended the margin to 79-75. The Patriots missed on two shots in the closing seconds as LSU-Shreveport held on for the win.

        Justin Collins added 17 points for the Pilots, while Payne chipped in with 16 points. Derrick Sowell, who scored 11 points, grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

        Elder and Brent Vernon each scored 19 points to lead Cumberland. Elder also had a team-high nine rebounds and seven assists. Terico Smothers contributed 10 points for the Patriots, who end the season with a 22-9 record.