After getting the win yesterday, the Missouri Tigers came right back to face the LSU Tigers Thursday afternoon. LSU jumped to an early lead and maintained a sizeable lead throughout the contest to win 76-68.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game started with the Tigers going up 9-2 after the first three minutes of action. Xavier Pinson exploded with scoring as he had seven for his team within the initial 183 seconds of the contest.
For the next five minutes, LSU would only extend their lead to 10 as Pinson got a layup and Darius Days hit a three with Brandon Murray getting the assist on the play. Mizzou’s Kobe Brown layup would be their lone score in that period of time.
Will Wade’s squad went on a 16-4 run, highlighted early by a Tari Eason three pointer and transition dunk following an Efton Reid steal. Reid got a slam in himself and the run finished with a Days three.
Missouri wouldn’t connect on their first few shot from beyond the arc until there was less than 4:30 minutes left in the first half. DaJuan Gordon hit the first two and Ronnie DeGray got the third as LSU now had a 16 point lead.
LSU led 39-23 at halftime.
The Tigers of Mizzou came out firing to start the second half as they went on a quick 7-2 run and cut it to within 10 early on after Amari Davis made both of his free throws.
LSU woke up and responded with a 14-1 run to help take back control of the game as Eason and Reid took turns putting the ball in the hoop. The purple and gold Tigers were now up by 23 at this point.
Mizzou tried to fight back into the game as Trevon Brazile and Javon Pickett got a few buckets to go down, but LSU kept their distance and gets the 76-68 win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tari Eason
Eason was efficient from the floor, making seven out of 11 attempts and leading the team with 19 points.
BIG NUMBER: 56
The LSU Tigers as a team shot 56 percent from the floor as they were able to move on to the next round against Arkansas.
UP NEXT: LSU Men’s Basketball will play against the Arkansas Razorbacks Friday afternoon with tipoff set for 1:30.