The LSU Tigers closed out the regular season with a big 86-80 win over the Missouri Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
In one of the more exciting games in the SEC this season, the two teams were deadlocked at 40 going into halftime. While LSU largely outplayed Missouri in the first half, Mizzou went on a run in the final minutes of the first half to tie the game.
Missouri seemed to take control early in the second half, taking its first lead since scoring the opening basket, just two minutes into the half. Mizzou built its biggest lead — six points — with nine minutes remaining.
Despite LSU’s best efforts over the next few minutes, Missouri would stay ahead until LSU guard Cameron Thomas scored to give his team a 69-68 lead with 5:51 remaining in the game.
The two teams would go back and forth over the next couple of possessions until LSU forward Trendon Watford scored with around four minutes remaining to give LSU a one-point lead.
LSU maintained control of the game until Missouri tied it one last time with 1:20 remaining. Watford answered, and LSU would score the final six points of the game.
Thomas scored 29 points to lead LSU, while Watford scored 19 points and finished with eight rebounds. Junior forward Darius Days scored 12 points and led LSU with nine rebounds.
LSU finishes the regular season with a 16-8 record, including an 11-6 mark in SEC play. The win gives LSU the No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournament and a double-bye into the quarterfinals.
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GOIN' HOME WITH THE 3️⃣ SEED#BootUp pic.twitter.com/vNjxvGo1Zs
— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) March 6, 2021