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LSU went to Knoxville for their toughest test thus far, taking on the #16 Tennessee Volunteers. Aneesah Morrow had a dominat night with 23 points and 21 rebounds, but it was the heroics of Kailyn Gilbert that finished the job in a 89-87 win for the Purple and Gold.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In the early going of this colossal matchup, the Tigers and the Volunteers kept things close as it was 10-8 with 6:10 remaining in the opening quarter. Then, LSU ripped off eight straight points to take an 18-8 lead before ending the quarter in another close battle. After one, LSU held a 26-17 lead in Knoxville behind six points a piece from Kailyn Gilbert and Aneesah Morrow. Talaysia Cooper led the Vols with six points of her own.
LSU started the second quarter on a roll, outscoring Tennessee 11-2 in the early stretch including seven straight points to make it 37-19 before the Vols hit back-to-back buckets to make it 37-23 with 5:53 left in the first half. Tennessee continued to cut into the LSU lead with a 12-1 run to make it 37-31 with 3:57 left in the first half. Jewel Spear led Tennessee with 11 points. Meanwhile, Morrow led all scorers in the contest with 17 points and nine rebounds.
At the half, LSU led 46-39 as Morrow was at a double double with 19 points and ten rebounds. The junior shot 8-11 in the first half to put the Tigers ahead. Tennessee continued to be led by Spear with 13.
With 2:37 left in the third quarter, the Tigers held a close 62-56 lead as Tennessee continued to match everything Kim Mulkey’s squad was sending their way.
After three complete quarters in Knoxville, it was just a 67-62 contest in what was largely expected to be close to the very end. LSU finished the quarter shooting 49% for the game as a team.
Tennessee held a 82-80 lead with 3:05 to go after a three from Cooper that gave her 24 in the game to lead all scorers.
LSU needed a last second score and they found it from Kailyn Gilbert as the Tigers walked out of Knoxville still undefeated with a 89-87 win.
BIG NUMBER: 49.4
LSU shot 49.4% from the field as a team in the high scoring affair, their highest in an SEC contest so far this season.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Aneesah Morrow
Morrow has continued to lead for the Tigers and tonight was no expecting with 23 points and 21 rebounds on 7-11 shooting.
UP NEXT: LSU returns home to face Vanderbilt on Monday. Tip off is set for 6:00 and the action can be heard on Acadiana’s Classic Country Mustang 107.1.