Tigers held off by Tide, lose fifth straight

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Hunt Palmer

THE STORY

The three-point line was the likely separator between LSU and Alabama.

Instead, it was the rim and foul line.

LSU was just 12-of-26 on layups, and Alabama lived at the foul line, making 30-of-37. Alabama beat the Tigers 90-83 in the Maravich Center.

The Tigers were never going to keep up with the Tide in a track meet, and that’s what resulted. Alabama didn’t have its best game from deep, and LSU shot it well. But the relentless pressure of the Crimson Tide offense was too much for a porous LSU defense.

LSU trailed by only three at the half after Rashad King buried a three with less than 10 seconds to go before the break. After halftime, Alabama stretched the lead to double digits after six minutes and held LSU at arm’s length much of the period.

LSU’s last gasp came after a three-ball from PJ Carter to trim the deficit to six with 2:38 left. Alabama immediately responded with four straight to erase any doubt. Even with LSU making its last six field goals, the outcome was never in doubt.

LSU has now lost seven of eight and stands at a putrid 2-12 in league play.