LSU celebrated KJ Williams and Parker Edwards tonight in what was their final game in the PMAC as they welcomed Missouri. LSU had a huge game shooting the ball, but Missouri was able to come back in late to take the win away from LSU 81-76.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU started the game red-hot, scoring on their first five possessions, including two threes from Parker Edwards (who only played one minute this season before tonight), to take an early 13-2 lead over Missouri. However, Mizzou wouldn’t stay down for long as they cut the lead to 18-14 before LSU hit back-to-back threes to make it 24-14 at the media timeout with 10:27 remaining in the first half.
Things stayed tight between the Tigers and Tigers, with LSU leading Missouri 29-20 with 6:41 remaining in the first half. LSU shot 70% from three to this point in the contest and KJ Williams led all scorers with 10.
LSU went on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 40-22 lead at the final media timeout of the first half. Adam Miller was dominant in the first half, scoring 11 points and facilitating the ball, getting three assists.
At the half, LSU led Missouri 47-34 behind 15 points from KJ Williams and 14 from Adam Miller. The Tigers shot 48% from the field and 73% from behind the arc in the first half.
Missouri opened the second half outscoring LSU 11-5 to cut the lead to 52-45 at the first media timeout of the second half with 15:59 to go in the game.
Missouri continued to put the pressure on Matt McMahon’s group, outscoring LSU 14-7 over the next stretch to tie the game at 59-59 with 11:25 to go in the game. Missouri was shooting 63% for the second half at this point.
LSU continued to hold a lead in this contest, leading 70-66 with 6:23 remaining in the game behind 22 points and 12 rebounds from KJ Williams.
Down the final stretch, Missouri was able to go on a 13-6 run to have a 79-76 lead with eight seconds left in the game. LSU wasn’t able to get anything down to tie the game and they fall to the Tigers 81-76.
BIG NUMBER: 50
LSU shot 50% from downtown in the game, which is one of their better performances from distance this season. Adam Miller sunk five long balls while KJ Williams hit four of his own.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: KJ Williams
Williams was huge for LSU even in the loss, scoring 24 points on 6-12 shooting (4-7 from three) and grabbing 14 rebounds for the Tigers.
UP NEXT: LSU will head to Gainesville to finish off the regular season with the Florida Gators. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.