By Hunt Palmer
THE STORY: For the majority of the game, LSU took away Texas A&M’s strength. The Aggies muzzled LSU’s from start to finish.
Ultimately Texas A&M outlasted LSU for a 68-57 win.
Texas A&M entered the game as the best offensive rebounding team in the SEC. LSU didn’t allow the Aggies a single second chance point in the first half. Texas A&M finished with a season-low, five.
Cam Carter has been the heartbeat of LSU ‘s offense. He never got going, shooting just 5-of-13.
The Tigers just don’t have a second punch. Carter got to 16 points on his inefficient night. The only other LSU player in double figures was Jordan Sears, and he was 1-for-8 from the floor.
The front court can’t score, and the bench, not including Sears who doesn’t start but plays 30-plus minutes, can’t really help on offense either.
The Tigers fought. They got to the half tied and trailed by just four with 8:54 to play.
The ineptitude on offense finally dealt the death blow. LSU failed to make a field goal for nearly eight minutes from the 14:08 mark of the second half to the 7:16 mark. That stretch featured six turnovers and five missed shots, meaning more possessions ended without a shot than with one.
A&M’s lead swelled to nine over that period of time and LSU never got closer.
A 1-6 SEC record now feels likely with Alabama and Auburn up next. That’s a tough pill to swallow if you’re searching for optimism.
LSU was game for 30 of the 40 minutes on the road, but without Carter clicking on all cylinders, LSU just doesn’t have enough.
THE STATS: Non-Carter Tigers shot 12-for-34 (35%) with 41 points and 16 turnovers.
LSU turned the ball over 18 times. A&M had nine turnovers. The Aggies turned the LSU turnovers into 19 points. LSU managed just four on those nine.
Wade Taylor shot just 3-for-13 in his return to action. He scored 12 points.
Texas A&M did get 14 offensive rebounds, but they only resulted in five points.
LSU shot 16-for-18 from the free throw line for 89 percent.
Sears was 1-for-7 from three-point range.
LSU assisted on 14-of-17 made field goals.
The Tigers only shot seven layups, a season-low.
Corey Chest did not score. He has nine total points in the last four SEC games.
