RICHARDSON, Texas - Jared Stevenson's two free throws with 31 seconds remaining in the contest lifted the Pilots to a one-point victory on Saturday night, as they defeated UT-Tyler 78-77 in the Fred Jacoby I-20 Classic.

UT-Tyler opened up the game on a 19-6 run and looked to have the Pilots on the ropes early in the contest.  The Pilots, however, turned up their defensive pressure and battled back to tie the game at 31-31 with two minutes left in the first half.  LSUS finished the half on a 9-3 run to lead by six at the break.

LSUS extended their lead to as many as 13 points with 14 minutes left in the game, but the Patriots kept fighting back and eventually found themselves with a one-point lead after a steal and a lay-up by Hakeem Kareem with 46 seconds remaining.

Stevenson was then fouled with 31 seconds left as he drove to the basket for the winning basket and successfully nailed both attempts.  UT-Tyler had one last shot for the win, but a Anthony Reese miss and Gabe Hall rebound sealed the victory for the Pilots.

Stevenson finished the contest with a career-high 25 points, while going 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.  Chris Gatlin and Derrick Parker each added 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Pilots.

LSUS (3-3) will have next week off before facing Texas Wesleyan next Saturday in Fort Worth.