BATON ROUGE — The LSU men’s basketball team opened up Southeastern Conference play on Tuesday with a 77-54 victory over Texas A&M inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. With the win, the Tigers improve to 6-1 on the season.
How It Happened:
Texas A&M struck first as Andre Gordon hit a pull-up three to start the game but LSU responded with a Darius Days’ three-point play as the Tigers junior forward was fouled during a putback and then drained the free throw.
After a bucket by Texas A&M Emanuel Miller, Days got another rebound and scored again tying the game at 5-5. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound junior was just getting warmed up for the Tigers as he scored 13 points in the first half.
LSU would then take the lead as Trendon Watford dished it off to Cameron Thomas who drained a long two-pointer from the top of the key. Texas A&M responded as Jonathan Aku and Miller made back-to-back jumpers to give the Aggies a 9-7 lead with 14:41 left in the half.
LSU tied the game with a pair of free throws by Mwani Wilkinson but Texas A&M reclaimed the lead with a Gordon three-pointer.
That proved to be the final time the Aggies held a lead.
Charles Manning Jr. made a layup which was followed with a layup by Watford — with an assist from Javonte Smart who returned to the starting lineup after missing the Nicholls game due to COVID-19 protocols.
Those back-to-back buckets sparked LSU’s offense. The Tigers would outscore the Aggies 32-15 in the final 13 minutes of the half, shooting 53.3 percent from the field.
LSU held a 41-27 lead at halftime and coasted to a convincing victory as the Tigers never allowed the Aggies to get within less than 13 points the rest of the contest.
Big Number: 46.9
Under coach Buzz Williams, Texas A&M is known for its physical and intense defensive effort. After a slow start, LSU had no problem against that defense ending the game by shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
Players of the Game: Darius Days & Cameron Thomas
Darius Days set the tone early scoring the Tigers first five points on way to recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas meanwhile led all scorers with 32 points as he shot 12-of-21 from the field and 5-of-11 from three-point range.
Next Up: LSU returns to action this Saturday at Florida. Tip is set for 1 p.m. and the game can be heard live on 103.7 The Game.