Strong Second Half Lifts LSU Past Men’s Basketball

Baton Rouge, La. – LSU scored 55 second-half points to rally from a halftime deficit and post an 84-80 win over the University of Missouri men’s basketball team on Saturday night.

Graduate Sean East II (Louisville, Ky.) led the Tigers with 26 points – his seventh-straight game of at least 20. Classmate Noah Carter (Dubuque, Iowa) also scored in double figures with 18 points off the bench, while junior Tamar Bates (Kansas City, Kan.) added 13.

Missouri used a strong opening period to take a lead into the intermission. Trailing by four points, 11-7, MU responded with a 10-2 spurt to take the lead for good in the opening 20 minutes. Mizzou led by as many as eight points before a pair of late free throws by the hosts gave Missouri a 35-29 advantage at the break.

The Tigers continued to maintain their lead early in the second frame before LSU got hot from the field. Trailing by seven points, LSU made nine of its next 10 field goals during a 26-4 run. The hosts took advantage of five Missouri turnovers during the stretch as they pulled in front by 15 points, 64-49.

The LSU lead reached as many as 21 with 4:40 remaining before a late Mizzou push made them sweat it out. A quick 11-0 run by MU pulled them back within 11 with over 90 seconds left and the Tigers would eventually pull as close as three on two occasions but LSU made just enough free throws to secure the four-point victory, 84-80.

Mizzou finished the game by making 47.5 percent of its baskets, while LSU converted 45.6 percent – including 50.0 percent in the second half with 19 made free throws in the second 20 minutes of action.

UP NEXT
The Tigers turn their attention toward postseason play, opening the SEC Tournament on Wednesday night against Georgia. Tipoff is at approximately 8:30 p.m. on SEC Network.