Starting off 4-0 in conference play is never easy and LSU has proved that theory to be true in their last two games. Last Saturday’s win saw Skylar Mays display his clutch gene with a buzzer-beater against Mississippi State.
Fast forward to Tuesday, the Tigers needed to weather the storm in College Station late and came away with an 89-85 overtime win to remain unbeaten in the SEC.
How It Happened:
The Tigers fired out the gates strong with a 10-5 run over the opening 3:08 of the contest, all starting with a three-pointer by Trendon Watford. It started to snowball for LSU, getting out to as much as a 23-7 lead with 11:10 left in the first half.
The Aggies got within eight late in the first half after Josh Nebo made one of two free throws but a three-pointer from Aundre Hyatt and a jumper from Javonte Smart made it a double-digit game as both teams headed into the locker room at the half.
Texas A&M took the momentum they had built headed into the break and turned the game on its head with an 11-2 run to start the second half, making it a 44-43 contest with 16:35 left in regulation. The Aggies took their first lead of the ballgame with 10:41 left after a three-pointer from Savion Flagg made it 52-51.
Things didn’t look great for LSU with 2:37 remaining in the game when Andre Gordon drained a three-ball to make it a six-point lead for Buzz Williams and his crew. However, the Tigers fought back in the final moments, forcing overtime with a three-pointer courtesy of Javonte Smart.
The overtime period was all LSU and Smart picked up where he left off after the tipoff with another three and that started an overtime period where the Tigers outscored A&M 10-8 and improved to 4-0 in SEC play.
Big Number: 25
The Tigers took complete advantage of the boards on Tuesday night, winning the battle 48-32. But it was their second-chance opportunities where the contest was one with 25 points coming off of second opportunities.
Player of the Game: Trendon Watford
Watford was taking care of business on multiple fronts, racking up 19 points, tying him for the lead in points with 19, sharing it with Skylar Mays. The freshman out of Birmingham, Alabama dominated on the boards with 11 rebounds and helped facilitate the offense with six assists.
Next Up: Saturday at Ole Miss; Tipoff at 7 pm