The LSU men’s basketball team rallied from a double-digit halftime lead but ultimately fell short in capturing a road win at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) — which is Tigers head coach Will Wade’s former team. With the 84-82 defeat on Wednesday night, LSU fell to 1-1 on the season.
How it Happened:
LSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead as Trendon Watford made a pair of jumpers and Skylar Mays stole the ball and made a jumper of his own. A few moments later, Darius Days drained a three-pointer, assisted by Mays, and LSU held a 11-5 lead with 15:10 left in the first half.
VCU though would respond and after Malik Crowfield’s three-pointer with 12:10 left the game was tied 13-13. The two teams would continue to go back-and-forth for the next few minutes and LSU had cut the lead down to one with 5:27 after Mays drained a three-pointer.
VCU though would close out the half by outscoring LSU 20-8 and held a 50-38 lead at the break.
LSU came out strong to start the second half as Days and Charles Manning Jr. both drained three-pointers in the first minute of play. VCU though was still able to maintain its double-digit lead. With 15:31 left, the Rams held a 62-48 lead over the Tigers.
LSU responded with a 11-0 run that cut the lead down to 62-59.
After cutting the lead down to one twice, the Tigers tied the game at 67-67 with an Emmitt Williams dunk. The Rams answered right back with a Marcus Santos-Silva jumper.
The two teams continued to trade blows and then LSU took the lead with a pair of free throws by Mays with 41 seconds left. The Tigers held a 82-81 lead.
VCU reclaimed the lead with a pair of free throws by De’Riante Jenkins and held a 83-82 lead with 27 seconds left.
LSU though would miss their final four shots from the field and turned over the ball on its final possession as VCU hung on for the 84-82 win.
Big Number: 26 & 25
LSU was sloppy with turnovers and personal fouls. The Tigers committed 26 turnovers and 25 fouls. VCU meanwhile committed 17 turnovers and 19 personal fouls. That proved to be the difference in the game.
Player of the Game: Skylar Mays
The LSU senior guard led the Tigers with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists but Mays also committed a game-high 7 turnovers. Mays shot 8-of-17 from the field and was perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
Next Up: Saturday at the PMAC against Nicholls State. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.