LSU’s rally gives Tigers late lead, but Georgia escapes with win in nail-biter.

 

The LSU basketball team almost missed their attempt to win on the road for the second time in three games on Wednesday night, despite a strong late surge.

In their Southeastern Conference game against Georgia in Athens, Georgia, LSU was behind by eight points with 2:55 remaining. However, with 17.4 seconds remaining, the Tigers scored nine straight baskets to take a 66-65 lead.

With seven seconds left, Jabri Abdur-Rahim of Georgia attempted a deep 3-point shot but missed it following an old-fashioned three-point play by Jalen Cook.

 

With 2.3 seconds remaining, 7-foot, 275-pound center Russell Tchewa jumped over Hunter Dean to get the ball and lay it in while being fouled because LSU was unable to grab the rebound.

In a 68-66 triumph at Stegeman Coliseum, Tchewa went on to finish the three-point play that turned out to be the game-winning basket for Georgia.

LSU (11-8, 3-3 SEC) had one more opportunity. Following timeout calls by Georgia’s Mike White and LSU coach Matt McMahon, Jalen Reed found Jordan Wright in the corner in front of the Tigers’ bench with a length-of-the-court pass.

After dodging a defender to take the pass, Wright turned to attempt a three-point shot. But his high-archingG jumper rattled in and out of the hoop and landed safely on the floor, keeping Georgia ahead (14-5, 4-2).

Silas Demary, who was averaging 9.9 points per game, scored 11 straight points in 3 and a half minutes to transform a 23-21 deficit into a 32-25 advantage with 2:24 remaining in the half, and Georgia led 35-33 at the half.

The last time LSU led the game was by two points, and Cook’s three-pointer with 17.4 seconds remaining gave the Tigers their first lead back.

 

However, they were unable to hold on despite making three comebacks in the second half when down by at least eight points.

“I thought our guys showed great resiliency throughout the game,” McMahon stated. “Despite falling several times, we continued to play and battle.

“Had a strong competitive spirit and a constant drive to win the game back.” I will have to rewatch the movie because I felt Hunter Dean had a nice box-out on the shot with three seconds remaining. Just a difficult way to lose in the end.”