Men’s Basketball: Payton’s Free Throws Gives Reach USA A Tie With Lithuania

Payton’s Free Throws Gives Reach USA A Tie With Lithuania

 

WULONG, China – Elfrid Payton made a pair of free throws with 1.7 seconds left to give Reach USA a 75-75 tie with Athletas of Lithuania in the second game of an eight-game cultural exchange in the Far East.

 

Payton led Reach USA (1-0-1) in scoring for the second straight game, scoring 22 points with seven rebounds and three assists.  WKU teammates T.J. Price (21 points) and Greg Fant (18 points & 10 rebounds) helped the Sun Belt members to score 61 of the squad’s 75 points.

 

“This was our second game in two days and it felt good to play again after traveling so much,” Payton said.

 

The game had a similar pattern as Lithuania held a 16 point lead in the second half before Reach USA rallied. 

 

Trailing 75-73, Payton was fouled on a drive to the basket and promptly made both free throws to even the game at 75-75.  Lithuania failed to score following the inbounds and as it is common in China, the game ended in a tie.

 

“That was different,” Payton said.  “I’m used to playing overtime to decide a winner but I guess that it is a custom here to end a game in a tie.”

 

Through the first two games of the trip, Payton Leads Reach USA in both scoring (24.5 ppg) and assists 96.0) while ranking second in rebounding (8.0).  He is shooting .625 from the field (20-36) and .692 from the line (9-13).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brian McCann

Sports Information Director

University of Louisiana

201 Reinhardt Drive

Lafayette, LA  70506-4297

Office:  (337) 482-6331

Cell:  (216) 798-6376