The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LATHANIEL Bastian recorded his second double double in three games and his sixth of the season for the Angelo State Rams men’s basketball programme.

Bastian finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench of the Rams’ 89-83 win over the Cameron Aggies Saturday afternoon in Lawton, Oklahoma. He shot just 3-5 from the field but was 7-10 from the free throw line.

The Rams trailed 81-80 with just under two minutes left to play before Dante Moss hit a go ahead jumper to take the lead for good.

Bastian followed with a conventional three-point play to give the Rams a five-point lead with one minute left to play. He also had a late block on the defensive end.

The junior forward is averaging 11.5 points, a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game, and a team-leading 1.6 blocks per game in 17 appearances with 12 starts.

The Rams began the weekend with an 82-79 win over No.8 West Texas A and M. At 13-4, and 2-2 in the Lone Star Conference, the Rams are sixth in the conference standings.

Prior to his transfer to Angelo State, Bastian spent the last two seasons with the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals at the JuCo level. As a sophomore with the Cardinals last season, Bastian averaged 5.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also finished with 19 blocks, 11 steals, and 14 assists on 53 percent shooting from the field.

He is a member of the Rams’ highly touted incoming recruiting class that has already improved on last year’s 8-10 record.

“If I have said it once, I have said it at least 20 times that [Tanny’s] motor on the glass reminds me of Dennis Rodman,” said Rams head coach Cinco Boone on the school’s athletic website.

“He really pursues the basketball on both ends of the floor from a rebounding standpoint. He also has a good frame to him and has good skill straight-line driving the basketball and finishing around the basket. He is strong and athletic and really has a charismatic personality.”