Early Scoring, Late Defense Helps LSU Basketball Beat Arkansas 78-71 to Advance to SEC Championship

Tigers advance to championship game for first time since 1993

Behind a stellar second half defensive effort and a hot start on offense, LSU defeated Arkansas in its semifinal matchup 78-71, setting up a championship game on Sunday. 

With the win, LSU advances to its first SEC Championship game since 1993, where the Tigers will take on the No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide at noon. 

"We got tons of contributions, very proud of how we've been playing," Will Wade said after the game. "I thought we showed some toughness last night and tonight. We made some key defensive stops, got just enough rebounds when we needed to and it's a huge win. Very excited, our guys are excited. We're playing some of our best basketball and getting some toughness to us."

If you tuned in right as the game started, it looked like defense would prove to be optional for both teams in the first 10 minutes of the game. Both Arkansas and LSU were absolutely lighting it up from beyond the arc, starting a combined 7-of-12 from long distance. Law of averages would catch up to both teams by the end of the half but by that time the damage was done offensively.

The Tigers couldn't stop the SEC Freshman of the Year Moses Moody, who scored 16 of the first 20 points for the Razorbacks as Arkansas built out an early eight point lead over the purple and gold. 

On Friday night, it was the LSU bigs, Trendon Watford and Darius Days who were primarily featured in the win over Ole Miss but in Saturday's win, it was Javonte Smart and Cam Thomas who shined bright. The duo was scoring at all levels, combining for 24 of LSU's first 38 points and were the catalysts behind the Tigers 14-1 run of the first half that put the team up by as many as six. 

Smart, Days, Watford and Thomas all had their moments as the four combined for 62 points but it was the improvement the team made on the defensive end that really stood out in the second half.

Will Wade said at the halftime break there was one area he was displeased with towards the end of the first half and that was the amount of offensive rebounds the team surrendered. LSU won the rebounding battle but allowed eight offensive rebounds down the stretch that kept the game tight. 

There was plenty of back and forth that dominated the early part of the second half as neither team was really able to pull away. It wasn't until a 15-2 LSU run over a two minute stretch that put the Tigers up 10 with just under 10 minutes to play. The run was headlined by big shots from Days, Thomas and Watford, who couldn't help but flex on this one particular drive to the basket.

No. 2 was made for this moment.

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— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) March 13, 2021

The offensive success fueled LSU's defensive intensity as the Tigers built out a 12 point lead at one point in the second half to put some distance between the Razorbacks for the home stretch. Wade said after the game a big part of the success on defense was because they were forcing jump shots instead of layups.

Just as important as the scoring burst was the Tigers' on ball defense, which was exquisite for much of the second half. Arkansas went nearly 10 minutes without scoring a field goal, doing most of its damage at the free throw line. 

An argument can be made that it was LSU's best defensive half all season. Active hands as well as timely blocks and steals had the Razorbacks completely out of rhythm, holding them to under 40% shooting for the half. 

"We tried to press back to a zone back to man," Wade said. "We got too cute so we eventully just went to straight man with a little bit of pressure which allowed us to stay square. We've got two or three different presses, different zones to see what sticks.

"We threw a couple of things at them, the man really stuck out," Smart said. "That was one of our better defensive halves we've played. I think the man defense we played was very good."

Freshman guard Eric Gaines was tremendous on the defensive end in the second half, getting multiple deflections as well as an impressive chase down block to slow down Moses and the Arkansas guards. He finished with 10 points, a block, a steal and countless deflections to keep Arkansas off rhythm.

"Huge, how bout the block? That's as good a block as you'll see," Wade said. "Just takes the ball from them, hits a huge three. He was tremendous and that's what he does. He brings us energy, brings us toughness. He can really pound the ball and guard the ball."

The Razorbacks would put a good scare into the Tigers down the stretch but a few key turnovers down the stretch and a beautiful floater from Smart ultimately secured the win.

"I feel like I needed to lead the team to get this victory," Smart said. I just wanted to get to the championship game. We owe them some respect and I think this is the way to get it. This is what I came to LSU for, what I came to do. I love winning and honored to be a part of this."

Tomorrow afternoon's championship game is a staple game for this program as a win would be just the second SEC Championship for LSU in its history.