Associate Head Coach David Patrick and the LSU Tigers men's basketball team put up a valiant fight against No. 5 ranked Tennessee, but ultimately fell short, losing 65-59 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The Tigers battled hard throughout the game, keeping the score close despite trailing by three points at the half. Tennessee managed to maintain their slight advantage, but LSU refused to go down without a fight. With 3:24 remaining, the Volunteers held a 15-point lead, but the Tigers staged a late rally, outscoring Tennessee 13-4 in the closing minutes to narrow the final margin to six points.
Despite the loss, LSU demonstrated their resilience and competitive spirit against a top-ranked opponent. The two teams were evenly matched in field goal percentage, with Tennessee shooting 41.1% and LSU shooting 41.2%. LSU connected on seven three-pointers compared to Tennessee's six, and the Volunteers held a slight edge at the free throw line, making 13 to LSU's 10.
However, Tennessee dominated the boards, outrebounding LSU 44-28, including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass. This resulted in a significant 27-8 advantage in second-chance points for the Volunteers, which ultimately proved to be a key factor in the game.
Despite the loss, Coach Patrick and the Tigers can take pride in their performance against a top-five team. Their late rally showed their determination and fighting spirit, which will be crucial as they continue their season.
|
