Live Updates/Thread: LSU vs. No. 9 Arkansas
Final: LSU 60, Arkansas 57
Second Half
The Trae Hannibal show continues, putting the Tigers up by three with a sneaky spin move inside. On the following Arkansas possession, another second chance bucket for the Razorbacks cut the lead to 1. LSU leads 58-57 with 21.1 seconds remaining.
LSU leads 56-55 with 46.3 seconds remaining.
Questionable foul calls continue to tell the story in this second half. After another call on Derek Fountain, both teams continue going to the foul line, but LSU certainly getting the unlucky end of things.
An offensive explosion by Trae Hannibal has given the Tigers a much needed lift on that end of the floor. He's up to 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
Score Update: Arkansas 51, LSU 49
LSU is now 1-of-6 from the free throw line after Juice Hill misses all three after being fouled on a three-point attempt. The Tigers continue missing opportunity after opportunity.
Score Update: Arkansas 40, LSU 34
LSU continues to lose the rebound battle. An Anthony Black second chance bucket puts the Razorbacks up 32-30 with 15:15 remaining. Tigers getting outrebounded 31-27.
Razorbacks start the half on a 5-0 run after a three-ball from Davonte Davis. Tied at 24.
Jordan Walsh gets the Razorbacks on the board to start the second half. Tigers will have to monitor the inside presence of Arkansas in the second half. An 0-for-13 start from three, they'll certainly look to get inside.
Halftime: LSU 24, Arkansas 19
First Half
Tigers have missed their fair share of chances inside with the latest being a blown layup by Trae Hannibal. LSU leads by one with 2:59 remaining in the half.
KJ Williams picks up his third foul of the first half with 6:02 remaining. Will spend the rest of the period on the bench. Big loss for LSU.
Arkansas is 6-for-21 on field goal attempts with 6:30 remaining in the half. An abysmal start for the Razorbacks. LSU leads 17-12.
LSU beginning to capitalize on second chance buckets. Derek Fountain has been working inside to provide the Tigers with extra opportunities.
Score Update: LSU 13, Arkansas 12
Back-to-back threes for the Tigers put them up by one with 10:30 remaining in the half. A positive sign for LSU is Adam Miller getting a three of his own after a recent shooting slump. Tigers have hit four of their last five field goal attempts.
Arkansas is crashing the glass with a sense of urgency. They're winning the rebound battle 13-6 as we near the midway mark in the first half.
Tigers are 1-for-9 on their first few attempts. Unable to capitalize on second chance buckets inside. Razorbacks lead 8-3 with 14:00 remaining in the half.
After an 0-for-6 start for LSU, KJ Williams gets the Tigers on the board with a three.
Both programs ice cold to start this one. Davonte Davis gets the first basket of the game with 17:28 remaining in the first half.
LSU controls the opening tip and we're underway here in the PMAC.
Pregame
LSU's starting lineup for their SEC opener against No. 9 Arkansas:
G: Cam Hayes
G: Justice Hill
G: Adam Miller
F: Derek Fountain
F: KJ Williams
Expect coach Matt McMahon to keep a tight rotation for this one.
Starting lineup for Arkansas:
G: Anthony Black
G: Ricky Council IV
G: Davonte Davis
F: Jordan Walsh
F: Makhi Mitchell
Notes
How will LSU compete in conference play? Are they ready for this moment? Was their non-conference schedule too much of a cakewalk? Again, time will tell, but LSU guard Cam Hayes is more than ready for the Tigers to get out on the floor and make a statement against one of the top programs in the country.
“I feel like we match up really well with them but whoever wins that matchup is going to play a key part in their team winning the game,” Hayes said. “I’m ready to see it, it’s our first SEC game of the year with a whole new team, whole new coaching staff so we want to make a statement tomorrow and take advantage of the opportunity.”
The Tigers are notorious for coming out hot and taking a lead early against opponents. Can they get a complete 40 minute performance on Wednesday? Coach McMahon, along with the fanbase, are looking to see it as well.
“All we’re trying to do is get our team better and play more consistent, high level basketball. I think we’ve shown it in stretches but we’ve had trouble sustaining it for long periods of time,” McMahon said.
