In a thrilling showdown at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, LSU had its sights set on a significant victory against No. 25 Alabama.
The Tigers, led by Coach Matt McMahon, were eager to bolster their season resume with a ranked win. Despite a valiant effort, they fell short, losing 90-83 to the Crimson Tide.
Coach McMahon pinpointed the free-throw line as a key factor in the outcome. Alabama capitalized on their opportunities, going 30 of 37, while LSU managed 16 of 22. The Tigers also struggled with shot selection, often opting for challenging two-point attempts when pushed off the three-point line.
"We took a lot of tough twos," McMahon noted. "There was a stretch where we shot over 50% from three but only 32% from two. That’s not a winning formula for us."
With this loss, LSU (14-13, 2-12) extended its losing streak to five games, while Alabama (23-9, 13-6) celebrated their sixth consecutive victory.
Marquel Sutton was a standout for LSU, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds. Jalen Reece added 14 points and five assists, though he also had three turnovers. Max Mackinnon, usually a reliable scorer, struggled to find his rhythm, ending with eight points on 3 of 16 shooting.
Despite trailing by as much as 16 points late in the game, the Tigers showed resilience. Pablo Tamba spearheaded a late surge with aggressive drives, and Sutton’s offensive rebound led to a crucial PJ Carter three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 81-75 with just over two minutes left.
Even with a late push to 89-83, Alabama’s composure and free-throw shooting sealed the win. Reece had opened the game confidently, hitting an early jumper, but Alabama quickly responded with a six-point run.
The Crimson Tide, known for their high-octane offense, are a force in college basketball, leading the nation in scoring and ranking second in made three-pointers. Their dynamic play is orchestrated by point guard Labaron Philon, a top scorer and playmaker in the SEC.
LSU’s defense initially held strong, forcing Alabama into a 4 of 13 shooting slump early on. Reece’s backcourt pressure and the team’s aggressive half-court defense limited Alabama’s three-point looks. Philon struggled in the first half, shooting just 1 of 5 and finishing with eight points.
Alabama eventually found their rhythm, hitting four of their next five three-point attempts. Aden Holloway, a former high school teammate of LSU’s Mike Nwoko, led the charge with 10 first-half points and three assists.
LSU’s lead slipped away late in the first half, trailing 43-40 at the break. A critical moment came when Robert Miller, a defensive standout, picked up his third foul, limiting his impact.
Alabama started the second half with renewed energy, scoring on their first four possessions. Sophomore Aiden Sherrell dominated inside, scoring nine points in the opening minutes and finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Miller’s foul trouble continued to hamper LSU, as he picked up his fourth foul shortly after returning in the second half. The Tigers missed his defensive presence, especially when they shifted to a smaller lineup with Sutton at center.
Miller re-entered with eight minutes left, immediately making his presence felt with a block. However, he fouled out while defending Holloway, who scored 17 points, with just over seven minutes remaining.
In his limited 10 minutes, Miller tallied three rebounds, three blocks, and a steal, and LSU outscored Alabama by four points during his time on the floor.
Looking ahead, LSU will face Ole Miss at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi, as they aim to break their losing streak and find a winning formula.