For a good chunk of Wednesday night’s matchup against the Houston Cougars (9-0), it felt like LSU (7-3) had a solid chance to pull off the upset and take down a Houston team that hadn’t lost at home in almost two years, but a poor second half from the Tigers was enough to cost them the ballgame, losing 82-76.
How It Happened:
The Tigers got behind the proverbial eight-ball early, but they were able to take a 20-17 lead thanks to a 9-4 run at about the halfway point of the first half. However, they weren’t able to keep a comfortable lead until the end of the first half when LSU went on a 12-2 run to end the half and headed into the locker room with a ten-point lead.
The second half started out as a complete disaster with the Tigers going ice cold from the field for 10:08 after Naz Reid opened up the scoring in the second half with a layup. If not for additional opportunities at the charity stripe, the Cougars could’ve taken back control of the ballgame much earlier.
All it did was delay the inevitable as Houston started to pull away with an 11-4 run in the final five minutes of the ballgame to get out in front and they never looked back as they continued their win streak at home.
Big Number: 36.8%
The Tigers field goal percentage on Wednesday night told you everything you needed to know about this ballgame and how poor their performance was, shooting 36.8 percent from the field. If not for a slightly above average performance from the free throw line for the Tigers, it could’ve been a disastrous night once the second half started.
Player of the Game: Galen Robinson
The Tigers had no answer for the senior guard who racked up 18 points, five boards, six assists, and two steals to help keep the Cougars undefeated on the season.
Next Up: St. Mary’s on Saturday; Tipoff at 10 pm
-Clint Domingue