The Pilots trailed 43-27 by the end of the first half before outscoring the Tigers 44-28 in the second half to force overtime at 71-71. In the extra regulation, it would be all Pilots outscoring the Tigers 14-7 to secure the season-opening victory. 

Returning Pilot, Alexzaye Johnson [3] led the Pilots with 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and added 2 steals to his defensive resume. The newest transfer from New College of Florida, Diego Eslava [4], made his presence felt by adding 19 points, including four clutch 3 pointers, while Doreante Tucker [5] finished with 16 points and four 3 pointers to his stat sheet. 

East Texas Baptist University was led by point guard Greg Dumas [6], who contributed 26 points on 9-of-16 from beyond the arch. Cameron Crockett [7] recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Kendall Mitchell [8] added 13 points for the fighting Tigers. 

ETBU controlled much of the first half, building their 16-point advantage by halftime. LSUS faced an uphill battle coming off the break, but slowly started to get more comfortable as the momentum started to shift. Eslava and Tucker connected on four 3-pointers each, helping LSUS generate the offense they desperately needed to get them back in this game. 

Johnson helped LSUS battle back and tie the game at 69-69 with 1:15 minute remaining in regulation. Terrance James [9] then gave the Pilots their first lead of the second half, 71-69, after an amazing dunk at the 1:04 mark assisted by Johnson. ETBU responded back immediately after Mitchell was able to get one to fall through with 47 seconds left, tying the game again at 71 a piece. Johnson missed a jumper on the next possession by LSUS, giving the Tigers a chance to take the lead and narrowly escape the Dock. However, Dumas missed the 3 pointer as time expired, sending the game into a five minute overtime period. 

With their backs against the wall all game long, the overtime period belonged to the Pilots refusing to quit and give up. 

A technical foul called on Mitchell with 4:03 remaining in overtime sent Esalva to the free-throw line. He converted both on attempts which put LSUS on top 73-71. Tucker followed behind him scoring his first basket in the extra period, and Johnson would make a trip to the free-throw line to make it 76-71. 

LSUS continued to build their lead through non-stop defensive pressure and collecting the fouls that would give them the chance to knock down important free-throw opportunities. After some contact drawn by the Tigers,  Nico Jones [10] would take his first trip to the free-throw line at the 1:02 mark, converting on 1 of 2 attempts. After the final missed free-throw attempt, Eslava would get control of the ball, nailing down a clutch 3-pointer to give the Pilots their largest lead of the night at 83-71. 

ETBU continued to battle until the last minute, but Johnson would knock down two more free-throws after some contact was drawn with 28 seconds remaining to give the Pilots the opening night victory at the Dock. 

Johnson’s all around performance anchored the Pilots with this comeback, earning himself Whataburger's player of the game for the night. He shot 12-of-20 from the field while recording a game-high of 28 points and dishing out eight assists. After the game we got the chance to ask Johnson a few questions about the comeback and his performance at the Dock. We asked Johnson what was the mindset going into the second half being down 16, to which he responded," Our mindset was to come out strong and play hard man. We had a slow start and they had a quick start. They had a couple good pointers. We just had to guard, guard, and guard man." We also asked Johnson, what made you want to return to the Pilots this year and he said," it's because of the expectation that comes with being a Pilot. Everytime we are out here on the floor we are expected to win. We have very high standards at LSUS." 

As a team, the Pilots shot 44.6% from the field and 31% from the 3-point line. They recorded 19 assists and 11 steals while committing 12 turnovers compared to the Tigers 17 turnovers. LSUS finished with 39 rebounds to ETBU’s 41 and held a 12-7 advantage in second-chance points. LSUS made 18 of 29 free throws, while ETBU converted 12 of 21 attempts. 

With the first win of the 2026-2027 season in the books, the reigning RRAC champions started their campaign at a perfect 1-0. The men’s basketball team will be in action again on Friday October 30th at 3:00pm, [11] as they travel to Parkville, Missouri to take on the number 7th ranked team in the NAIA, Georgetown College. [12]