Lions capitalize off turnovers to beat Mobile, 65-58

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern men’s basketball team scored 25 points off turnovers in a 65-58 win over the University of Mobile Sunday afternoon at the University Center.

The Lions (2-2) had three players score in double figures led by Ty Brewer. The sophomore from Meridian, Mississippi scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Pape Diop, a junior, added 14 points and seven rebounds while freshman Isiah Kirby chipped in with 12 points on four three-pointers. Senior Von Julien, a Reserve, Louisiana native, had eight points and dished out seven assists.

The Rams (2-2) fought hard for 40 minutes as they were led by Gabriel Cruz with 15 points. But UM was forced into 27 turnovers by the Lions’ defense including 17 steals by the home standers.

Mobile scored the first five points of the game before Southeastern responded with a 14-0 run. However, the Rams hung tough as the Lions led 32-26 at halftime.

Southeastern took a 60-50 lead with 4:33 to go before the Rams battled back again to cut the Lions’ lead to four, 62-58, with 1:13 to go. Julien and Brewer knocked down three free throws over the final minute to hold off the Rams for the win.

“I thought we had good pressure defensively for most of the game,” said SLU men’s head basketball coach David Kiefer. “I thought some of our younger guys stepped up and played well even though they didn’t really play their best basketball. I thought they stepped with us having a short-handed bench tonight. I thought those guys played hard and made enough plays to help us win.”

The Lions were able to pick up the win despite troubles at free throw line. Southeastern was just 14-for-25 from the charity stripe.
“We have got to be more focused and concentrate there,” said Kiefer. “We have got to step to the line with more confidence than we have thus far.”
Following Sunday’s Game, the Lions will embark on a four-game road trip beginning Wednesday night when they face the University of Tulsa (3-1) at 7 p.m. SLU will then take on Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee Saturday at 4 p.m. Southeastern will wrap up the trip with a primetime game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. After a week off, the Lions will travel to face in-state rival UL Lafayette Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Fans can follow the play-by-play of all four games on 90.9 KSLU.

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