Tennessee Outmuscles Short-Handed LSU in Knoxville Showdown
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Down two starters and facing one of the SEC’s most physical teams on the road, LSU didn’t back down. The Tigers brought grit, hustle, and a whole lot of heart to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Saturday night. But in the end, Tennessee’s size and relentless rebounding proved too much, as the Vols pulled away late for a 73-63 win.
With Max Mackinnon sidelined for the first time this season due to a knee issue - joining Dedan Thomas Jr. on the injury list - LSU had just eight available players. That didn’t stop them from throwing punches early and often, trading buckets with the Volunteers and even grabbing a second-half lead. But as the game wore on, Tennessee’s depth and dominance on the glass became the difference.
Tigers Show Fight, But Vols Own the Paint
Tennessee opened up a 31-19 lead late in the first half, but LSU responded with a 10-4 run to close the gap before the break. Despite shooting just 9-of-26 from the field in the first half, the Tigers trailed by only six at halftime, 35-29. That was thanks in part to their defensive pressure and ability to limit mistakes - LSU committed just three turnovers all night, a remarkable stat considering their depleted roster.
The second half started with a bang for LSU. Pablo Tamba and Jalen Reece drilled back-to-back threes to tie the game at 35, and just minutes later, Marquel Sutton gave the Tigers their first lead at the free-throw line. Then came a highlight moment: Mazi Mosley launched a full-court pass to Sutton, who finished the play to put LSU up 44-41 with just over 14 minutes to go.
They held their final lead at 48-47 after a Rashad King layup with 12 minutes left. But that’s when Tennessee flipped the switch.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s Three Turns the Tide
With the game knotted at 50, Ja’Kobi Gillespie buried a three-pointer that gave Tennessee the lead for good. From there, the Vols leaned into their identity - crashing the glass, pounding the paint, and wearing LSU down possession by possession.
Tennessee outrebounded LSU 45-24, including a staggering 16-8 edge on the offensive boards. That led to a 22-4 advantage in second-chance points, and when you’re already short-handed, that kind of disparity is tough to overcome. The Vols also outscored LSU 34-18 in the paint, using their size and physicality to control the interior.
Ament Shines, Reece Steps Up
Tennessee forward Nate Ament was the most impactful player on the floor. He poured in 22 points, drew eight fouls, and went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line.
Add in nine rebounds, and he was a force LSU simply couldn’t contain. J.P.
Estrella added 16 points and nine boards of his own, while Gillespie finished with 12 points and six assists.
For LSU, there were bright spots despite the loss. Sutton and Reece each scored 15 points, with Sutton also grabbing nine rebounds.
Reece, the freshman point guard, played all 40 minutes and looked like a veteran - hitting three triples, dishing out four assists, and committing just one turnover. Tamba added 13 points, and Mike Nwoko chipped in 10.
Coach McMahon Praises Grit, Highlights Growth
After the game, LSU head coach Matt McMahon didn’t mince words when assessing his team’s effort.
“Credit to Tennessee for finding a way to win tonight,” McMahon said. “But I was really proud of our players for their fight and the resolve they showed.
Jalen Reece grew up tonight. He was fantastic - made a lot of good things happen.
For him to play 40 minutes at point guard and only have one turnover, that’s big-time.”
McMahon also pointed to the team’s three-point shooting - LSU knocked down eight from deep - and the contributions from players like Mosley, who stepped into an expanded role off the bench.
“We learned a lot about our group tonight,” McMahon added. “That’s how we need to compete - fight for 40 minutes every night.”
Looking Ahead
LSU now turns its attention to a Tuesday night matchup in Austin against Texas. With Mackinnon’s status still uncertain and Thomas Jr. already sidelined, the Tigers will need another all-hands-on-deck effort. But if Saturday night’s performance proved anything, it’s that this LSU squad has no shortage of fight - even when the odds are stacked against them.