LSU comes from behind to defeat #16 West Virginia 74-73

Coach Jones and LSU have picked up some serious momentum going into the finals break. After revenging last years loss to UMASS by upending the Minutemen by 22 points in the PMAC on Tuesday, the Tigers went into Morgantown and stole a victory from #16 West Virginia Mountaineers after trailing by 14 in the second half. The comeback can be contributed to very tough half court defense, rebounding, and the ability to score inside and outside on the Mountaineers.

LSU's chances looked bleak after West Virginia turned a 6 point LSU lead into a double digit Mountaineer lead using an 18-1 run over the end of the first and beginning of the second halves. It once again looked like a stretch that LSU would not be able to overcome. They were struggling to break West Virginia's full court press that forced 24 Tiger turnovers, but the Tigers began to play Mountaineer basketball to change the game.

LSU played gutsy defense late, forcing West Virginia into some turnovers as well as quickly getting rebounds upcourt. Both led to some easy baskets, and down by 1 with under 10 seconds to go, Josh Gray hit a layup to put LSU up for good.

If I were to tell you that LSU would get only 4 points from Mickey, 7 points from Gray, turn the ball over 24 times, and allow 15 offensive rebounds would you think LSU had any chance at a victory? Luckily Tim Quarterman had arguably the best game of any Tiger this season. He scored a career high 21 points, had 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and played some very disruptive defense. He made 3 of 4 shots from three point range. Keith Hornsby made 3/3 from deep as well to vault LSU to an 8 of 15 (53.3%) night from beyond the arc.



Jarell Martin had a career high 14 rebounds to go along with his 18 points. He was used under the basket more than usual due to Jordan Mickey's full game foul trouble. The Tigers as a team made 77.8% from the free throw line. They are hitting 71.1% from the line this year after only hitting 66.9% a year ago.

ESPN2 has been kind to LSU this season televising their two wins over the Big 12. They took out Texas Tech in OT in November and took out West Virginia on the road last night.

Interesting Stats:

LSU outrebounded WVU 44-35 and did a really good job on the glass.

At the 18:00 minute mark (52-38) of the second half, KenPom analytic's had LSU's chances of winning at only 2.4%. May be one of LSU's most unimaginable comebacks in recent history.

Martin made 8 of 11 free throws.

LSU guards Gray, Hornsby, and Quarterman made 7/8 from three point range.

LSU held the Mountaineers to a 30.6% offensive rebound percentage. They average 43.3% on the year.