LSU basketball stuns Kentucky for second-straight win over a ranked opponent

LSU basketball brought a lot of momentum to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for its mid-week clash with No. 17 Kentucky. After upsetting No. 11 South Carolina on the road last Saturday, the Tigers sought their second win over a ranked opponent in the Matt McMahon era.

McMahon’s team prevailed again.

LSU took the inbound down 74-73 with less than ten seconds remaining and ran the floor. Jordan Wright tried to work the ball to the paint, but Kentucky had a scrum ready. Wright put up a shot that the Wildcats denied, but he got another arm on the ball and threw it toward Tyrell Ward.

Ward caught the pass at the restricted zone with about 1.3 seconds left and put the ball back in the air. It sailed into the net as time expired, giving LSU a 75-74 win.

LSU basketball fans and members of the LSU women’s basketball team stormed the court in jubilation. Indeed, the win felt like the Tigers removed a huge weight from their shoulders. McMahon’s squad has proven they can play with SEC contenders, which is huge for a program desperate to get back to relevance.

LSU basketball is undefeated since I commiserated the last-second loss to Florida in Gainesville. It felt as though the Tigers’ best efforts were never good enough. My attitude has shifted since then. LSU has looked like a team with plenty of confidence to execute a competent game plan.

It seems LSU basketball players have finally bought into themselves as much as they’ve bought into McMahon’s program.

Ward led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points and an assist. Guard Jordan Wright was not far behind with 13 points and four assists. Forward Jalen Reed also had a big night while coming off the bench for McMahon’s team. The 6-foot-10 sophomore scored 13 points and snagged six rebounds.

LSU basketball moved to 14-12 (6-7 in SEC) on the season and will welcome Mississippi State to Baton Rouge on Saturday. A February 27 contest at Georgia will follow.

Don’t look now, but the Tigers might have a March postseason future if they acheive ten SEC wins and make a run in the SEC tournament.