What a finish for the LSU Tigers (16-3, 6-0 SEC) on Saturday afternoon inside Mizzou Arena. After the final media timeout, it felt like the LSU was about to suffer their first loss to a Mizzou (10-7, 1-4 SEC) team that hadn’t found their footing in conference play, but Skylar Mays was on another level, winning 86-80 in overtime to remain unbeaten in SEC play.
How It Happened:
Mizzou took control early on in the contest, but Tremont Waters and LSU’s defense helped them get out in front with 9:36 left in the first half. However, the first half came to a close with both teams being knotted up at 33 points with a three-pointer from Xavier Pinson.
Mizzou started to pull away in the second half, getting out to a 14-point lead with 3:20 left in regulation. However, Mays channeled his inner Tracy McGrady, scoring nine points in 27 seconds to cut the deficit down to only five points. Emmitt Williams tied things up with two seconds left in regulation making one of two free throws to send it overtime at 71 points apiece.
Once again, it looked like Mizzou was going to pull off the win, but LSU once again came up huge in the final two minutes to come away with the six-point victory.
Big Number: 9
Mays really put the team on his back late in regulation with nine points in 27 seconds. It’s not going to be as iconic as what Tracy McGrady did when he had 13 points in 30 seconds, but when it comes to remembering this game in the context of LSU’s season Tiger fans will be talking about this one for quite some time.
Player of the Game: Skylar Mays
Mays had a huge performance overall with 24 points, two rebounds, one assist, and a steal to help LSU get another win in SEC play.
Next Up: Wednesday at Texas A&M; Tipoff at 8 pm
-Clint Domingue