Poor defense and ice cold shooting has effectively killed the LSU Tigers chances at making the NCAA tournament after a loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks (14-14, 7-8 SEC by the score of 85-65.
The Tigers started out with an early lead, but the Razorbacks went on a 9-2 run to give them an early edge against LSU. But Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney decided to take over this game with both combining for 22 of the Tigers 32 points in the first half. With the late surge and a late jumper by Blakeney made it a 34-32 game at the half.
The Tigers got as close as one point early in the second half, but the Razorbacks shut the door with several quick runs let Arkansas pull away and went up by as much as 20 points on the way to an easy win over the Tigers.
Simmons led the way for LSU with 23 points, 12 boards, six assists, one block, and one steal on the night. Blakeney was right behind him with 20 points and six boards.
Moses Kingsley led the Razorbacks with 20 points, 10 boards, four assists, three blocks and one steal on the night.
The Tigers (16-12, 9-6 SEC) will return to the PMAC on Saturday when they take on the Florida Gators (17-10, 8-6 SEC) with tipoff set for 7:30 pm.
-Clint Domingue