LSU couldn’t get back in the win column despite a valiant effort against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday. However, there were still some positives to take away, namely the play of forward [autotag]Derek Fountain[/autotag].
A transfer from Mississippi State, Fountain is starting to come on in recent outings. Saturday’s was the most prolific in his entire career to this point, as he led the team with 26 points while adding seven rebounds in the 79-69 loss at home.
“I thought Derek Fountain was terrific,” coach [autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag] said after the game, according to a release. “He embodies everything I want to build this program around. Relentless effort, energy, he’s all about the team. He has really stepped forward into a leadership role. People respect hard work, toughness and people who put the team above themselves, and he checks all those boxes. We need to keep building around that and make that more contagious with in the entire program and organization moving forward.”
Twelve of Fountain’s 26 points came at the free-throw line, where LSU’s efficiency helped the team stay in the game.
“I just come in the game, I tell myself to go play hard,” Fountain said regarding the frequency with which he was drawing fouls. “Whatever happens, happens.”
This game could be viewed as a step forward in some ways for the Tigers, but with a double-digit losing streak in tow, it’s hard to find many silver linings. LSU will hope it can finally reverse its misfortunes as it hits the road against Mississippi State — Fountain’s former team — on Wednesday night in search of what would be a Quadrant 1 win.
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