The LSU Tigers men’s basketball team fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks 78-68 on Tuesday night inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. The loss moves the Tigers to 0-2 in SEC play to start the conference slate.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game could not have started much worse for LSU. They began ice cold from the floor while South Carolina became red hot. By the first media timeout, after a barrage of made three-pointers, the Gamecocks already led by 16 with a 21-5 score.
The slow start for the Tigers did not improve much as the first half went on. By the end of the half, South Carolina was shooting over 50% from the field and an incredible 77% from three-point range with 10 made triples. Elijah Strong had 18 at the break while the Gamecocks led 50-25. No Tiger had more than four points in that half.
LSU used the halftime break to make adjustments, and they came out on fire to start the second half. Pablo Tamba got things going and scored five straight, capping a 10-2 run out of the locker room that cut the lead to 52-35.
The Tigers continued to creep closer. With 12 minutes remaining, Max Mackinnon hit a three to cut the lead to 10 at 58-48. The two teams traded baskets for a few possessions. Then, at the under eight media timeout, Mackinnon hit another three to get the lead down to single digits at 64-55.
LSU had it down to six at one point but ultimately ran out of time in their comeback effort. South Carolina was able to extend their lead back out and hang on for a 78-68 win.
BIG NUMBER: 25
LSU trailed by 25 at the half and also scored just 25 points in the first half. Despite an impressive second half effort the Tigers were simply in too large of a hole.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Elijah Strong
Strong paced the Gamecocks with 30 points in this one. He also grabbed four rebounds and had two assists. He made 10 of 15 field goals and all four of his triples.
UP NEXT: LSU will head to Nashville to face Vanderbilt on Saturday, January 10th at noon. You can listen to that game on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.