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The LSU men’s basketball team snapped their three-game losing streaking with a 70-64 win over Texas A&M. LSU played without two of the three top leading scorers. Darius Days and Xavier Pinson were both out for the game.
With over a minute left, the Tigers were down 64-61, and Mwani Wilkinson hit a game-tying three-point shot. Texas A&M missed some shots on the next possession but got a couple of offensive rebounds. Andre Gordon grabbed the last one, and Shareef O’Neal blocked the shot attempt.
On LSU’s following offense sequence, Eric Gaines was fouled and made two free throws to give LSU a 66-64 lead. Then on the defensive end, Gaines blocked a Marcus Williams dunk attempt, and it sealed the game for LSU.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE THE FIGHTIN' TIGERS.#BootUp pic.twitter.com/nC9PFP6DTn
— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) January 27, 2022
With Days and Pinson out, LSU needed players to step up, and that’s what happened. Tari Eason moved into the starting lineup and had 14 points and nine rebounds; Eric Gaines pitched with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Gaines made some huge plays down the stretch. The one player that stepped up big time was Brandon Murray; he led the team with 21 points off the bench. O’Neal gave LSU solid minutes off the bench with seven points and three rebounds.
LSU did an outstanding job getting to the free-throw line making 24-35 free throws. Eleven misses are not good but for a team missing stars, any extra points help. The Tigers were aggressive getting to the basket, and it paid off. It was a massive win for LSU missing two key players.
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