Alabama hangs on to knock off LSU

Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) defends as LSU guard Javonte Smart (1) attacks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) defends as LSU guard Javonte Smart (1) attacks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- LSU couldn't find a way to stop Kira Lewis Jr. and Jaden Shackelford, or to beat Herbert Jones and his one healthy hand to rebounds.

Lewis scored 27 points, Shackelford had 26 and Jones had a career-high 17 rebounds as Alabama held off a big comeback attempt by No. 25 LSU for an 88-82 victory on Saturday.

Shackelford said it was "most definitely" a must-win game for the Crimson Tide, whose postseason hopes had faded.

"We knew coming into this game, we had to come in and get this win," he said.

The Tide (13-12, 6-6 SEC) knocked the Tigers (18-7, 9-3) from a share of the league top spot after blowing virtually all of an 18-point lead. Alabama also took No. 11 Auburn into overtime Wednesday night before losing.

LSU came into the day in a three-way tie for atop the SEC with Auburn and No. 12 Kentucky but has lost three of its last four games since an 8-0 league start.

"The offensive rebounding in the second half was the difference for Alabama," LSU Coach Will Wade said. "They had 10 of them in the second half.

"We obviously did a terrible job on Lewis, and Shackelford's just playing tremendously well."

Down 18 early in the second half, LSU made a big late surge. Trendon Watford scored on a drive and then Marlon Taylor stole Alabama's inbound pass and dished to Javonte Smart for a three-pointer.

Jones, who had five offensive rebounds after halftime, made two free throws to a huge ovation from the fans while playing with a cast on his left, shooting hand.

"That was the best crowd I've heard since I've been here," first-year Alabama Coach Nate Oats said. "It kind of hit a fever pitch there when Herb stepped to the free throw line after they intentionally fouled him knowing that he didn't have his strong hand."

MISSOURI 85, NO. 11 AUBURN 73

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Guards Dru Smith and Xavier Pinson each scored 28 points and Missouri beat No. 11 Auburn.

Smith and Pinson repeatedly drove into the lane and scored for Missouri (12-13, 4-8). Kobe Brown added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Austin Wiley led Auburn (22-3, 9-3) with 22 points and 10 rebounds, J'Von McCormick added 21 points and Samir Doughty scored 16. Auburn made just 1 of 17 three-point attempts.

Smith and Pinson combined to score 33 points on 12-of-15 shooting in the first half. Pinson freed himself with a crossover dribble and sank a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer, giving Missouri a 45-32 lead.

Missouri's foul trouble mounted early in the second half, with Pinson and Mitchell Smith (VanBuren) each picking up their fourth in the first eight minutes.

Momentum swung back to Missouri when Auburn's Devan Cambridge was ejected with 10:01 remaining. He was called for Flagrant 1 and 2 fouls on the same play. Cambridge pulled Missouri's Javon Pickett down and then stepped on his leg while he was sitting on the court. Pickett and Dru Smith combined to make 3 of the 4 free throws. Missouri got possession of the ball, and Torrence Watson hit a three-pointer. The total damage from the play was six points, giving Missouri a 62-46 lead.

Two minutes later, Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl was hit with a technical and had to be restrained by assistants. He was angered when McCormick was called for a foul while trying to get around a screen. Auburn couldn't get the deficit below 10 points the rest of the way.

NO. 12 KENTUCKY 67,

MISSISSIPPI 62

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Nick Richards had 16 points, including two go-ahead free throws 1:11 remaining, and Immanuel Quickley and Keion Brooks each made two more in the closing seconds to help No. 12 Kentucky escape Mississippi.

The Wildcats (20-5, 10-2) shot just 39% overall but made 48% in the second half to erase a seven-point deficit and create a back-and-forth game for the final eight minutes. Richards followed two free throws with 2:11 left with two more a minute later to put Kentucky up 63-62.

Devontae Shuler then airballed a three-pointer out of bounds with nine seconds left. Quickley, who had 17 points, was fouled a few seconds later and added two from the line with 6.6 left before Keion Brooks Jr. sealed the win with two more.

Tyrese Maxey had 14 points while EJ Montgomery and Richards combined for 15 rebounds as Kentucky beat the Rebels 41-33 on the glass.

Breein Tyree had 19 points, while Blake Hinson and KJ Buffen each had 13 for Ole Miss (13-12, 4-8), which had won three in a row. The Rebels dropped their 11th consecutive series game to the Wildcats.

TEXAS A&M 74, GEORGIA 69

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Emanuel Miller scored a game-high 21 points and Texas A&M wiped out a 12-point deficit to defeat Georgia.

The game was tied 59-59 with 4:32 remaining before the Aggies outscored the Bulldogs 15-10 the rest of the way. Miller scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half.

The Aggies (12-12, 6-6) avenged a 63-48 loss at Georgia (12-13, 2-10) on Feb. 1. The Bulldogs used a 15-6 burst in that game to start the second half and never looked back. This time, the Aggies outscored the Bulldogs 45-31 in the second half to pull away late, and snap a two-game losing streak.

Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards was held to six points on 2-of-7 shooting. Rayshaun Hammonds led the Bulldogs with 15 points.

SOUTH CAROLINA 63,

TENNESSEE 61

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's Maik Kotsar swished four free throws in the final 21 seconds to deliver an improbable victory over Tennessee.

Trailing 60-59 with 75 seconds left, the Gamecocks (16-9, 8-4) were kicking themselves for their own mistakes. One of the nation's worst teams at fouling and shooting free throws was once again living up to its twin reputation, with 24 fouls and 13 misses from the line.

Yet, after Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi turned the ball over, and Jordan Bowden fouled Kotsar to prevent a fast break, the senior forward calmly swished two free throws for a one-point lead.

Tennessee's John Fulkerson was then called for a charge. Kotsar went back to the foul line and made a pair for a three-point lead.

Charleston native Josiah-Jordan James made his first, then intentionally threw his second shot into the rim. He came up with the rebound but his shot attempt fell short.

Fulkerson scored a career-high 25 points while Kotsar led the Gamecocks with 13.

Sports on 02/16/2020

Upcoming Events