Photo By: Bayou State Media Staff
The LSU Tigers pulled off an impressive 85-75 victory against the Florida State Seminoles Tuesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge, thanks to a dominant second-half performance at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Key Performances Propel LSU to Victory
Cam Carter led the Tigers (7-1) with a standout performance, dropping 26 points and fueling a 14-3 run early in the second half that turned a three-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead. Freshman Vyctorius Miller contributed 15 points, while Jordan Sears added 21 to round out LSU's scoring leaders. Corey Chest was a force on the boards, collecting 10 rebounds, as the Tigers showcased depth and resilience.
LSU's shooting turnaround after halftime was pivotal. The Tigers went from a 35% field goal percentage in the first half to an efficient 57% in the second. They also found their rhythm beyond the arc, hitting six of 13 three-point attempts after starting three for 14 in the first half.
Critical Second-Half Adjustments
Trailing 35-32 at halftime, LSU came out firing, scoring the first eight points of the second half. A Carter three-pointer sparked the run, while Miller capped it with a crucial shot from deep. LSU’s defense and timely buckets helped the Tigers extend their lead to double digits with 6:38 remaining, highlighted by a key goaltending call on Florida State that swung momentum fully in LSU's favor.
Carter continued to dominate late, scoring eight consecutive points, including back-to-back dunks that kept the Tigers firmly in control as the clock wound down.
Injury Update
LSU played most of the game without 6'10" Jalen Reed, their leading rebounder and a consistent offensive contributor, who exited early with an apparent leg injury. Despite his absence, LSU showcased their depth, leaning on a team-oriented effort to secure the win.
Seminoles' Efforts Fall Short
Florida State (7-2) had its moments, led by Malique Ewin’s remarkable double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards. Jamir Watkins chipped in 15 points, while Chandler Jackson and Jerry Deng added 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Seminoles outscored LSU on second-chance points 19-14, but their 39% shooting from the field and inability to counter LSU's second-half surge proved costly.
Looking Ahead
The win marks LSU’s continued improvement this season as they prepare to host FGCU on Sunday. Meanwhile, Florida State opens ACC play against NC State on Saturday.
LSU head coach Matt McMahon praised his team's effort but emphasized the need to maintain consistency. "We made adjustments and executed well in the second half. Our guys showed great energy and resilience, which is critical as we continue to build momentum," McMahon said.
With their seventh win of the season, the Tigers are showing they’re a team to watch as SEC play approaches.
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