The Tigers and the Rebels (12-4, 2-2 SEC) went at it like a pair of heavyweights throughout the game, but LSU was able to pull away late with some stellar shooting from the arc to beat Ole Miss 90-81.
The Rebels took an early lead with a 8-0 run early on, but the Tigers responded with a 9-0 run late in the first half to take the lead. However, that lead was erased just as quickly as LSU obtained it with Ole Miss going on a 9-0 run of their own to head into the locker room at the half with a 43-40 lead.
It seemed that the Rebels were starting to pull away early on in the second half, but the Tigers pulled ahead with a 11-2 run and held on with back-to-back three pointers by Antonio Blakeney and Tim Quarterman, respectively. And that was what LSU needed to come away with the hard-fought victory on Wednesday night.
Craig Victor led the Tigers with 18 points, one off of his career-high. The sophomore transfer also racked up six boards, two assists, and two blocks on the night. Ben Simmons had a less than stellar performance against Ole Miss but still came away with 15 points, five boards, seven assists, and one steal.
Ole Miss’ Stefan Moody was the talk of the PMAC with a whale of a game. The senior guard racked up a career-high 33 points, three boards, four assists, two steals, and one block on the evening.
The Tigers (10-6, 3-1 SEC) will stay inside the friendly confines of the PMAC to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (9-7, 3-1 SEC) on Saturday with tipoff set for 7:30 PM.
-Clint Domingue