Check and Maten. That’s how the cookie crumbled on Tuesday night for LSU (11-6, 2-3 SEC) in a 61-60 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs (12-5, 3-3 SEC).
After an early back and forth, LSU went on a 9-0 run to take a 17-9 lead with 11:39 left in the half. Georgia fought back late, but the Tigers defense was able to hold them back long enough to make it a ten-point lead at the break.
That lead quickly evaporated though as Georgia got out in front with a 9-0 run of their own. It was a nailbiter the rest of the way, especially after the final media timeout when Brandon Sampson drained a three-pointer. It looked like LSU was going to get the win late after the Bulldogs missed a pair of free throws. However, Yante Maten was the deciding factor with a layup in the final seconds. The Tigers got the ball to Tremont Waters, but a jacked-up three wound up costing them their third conference loss at home.
LSU will return to action on Saturday when they hit the road to take on Vanderbilt (6-12, 1-5 SEC) with tipoff set for 12 pm.
-Clint Domingue