Field Level Media
Jan 18, 2020
Javonte Smart scored 20 points and visiting LSU remained the only undefeated team in SEC play with an 80-76 victory against Ole Miss on Saturday night.
Emmitt Williams added 17 points, Skylar Mays scored 15 and Marlon Taylor had 13 for the Tigers, who improved to 13-4 and 5-0 after winning their 12th consecutive SEC road game since last season and their sixth straight game overall this season.
Breein Tyree, returning from a one-game absence due to a back injury, scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Rebels (9-8, 0-4). Blake Hinson scored 13 and Khadim Sy added 10.
Ole Miss broke from a 36-36 tie at halftime by scoring the first five points of the second half.
Smart's 3-pointer pulled LSU even at 41-41 and Aundre Hyatt's two 3-pointers and one by Taylor gave it a 50-43 lead.
Taylor made a free throw to give LSU its biggest lead at 57-47 before Ole Miss came back.
Hinson made two 3-pointers and Tyree made three free throws and a 3-pointer to help the Rebels take a 65-59 lead.
Smart scored five points and Taylor made two free throws to give the Tigers a 70-69 lead.
Tyree made a jumper and Williams answered with a layup that gave LSU a 72-71 lead with four minutes remaining.
Mays scored consecutive layups on drives to push the lead to 76-71 with 51 seconds remaining.
Ole Miss' Bryce Williams made a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left, but Taylor answered with two free throws.
Tyree's layup pulled the Rebels within 78-76 with 21 seconds left, but Mays made two free throws with 11 seconds left.
Tyree got off to a fast start, scoring 14 points as the Rebels took a 21-12 lead midway through the first half.
Smart made a jumper and two 3-pointers to pull the Tigers within a point before Tyree answered with a jumper to give Ole Miss a 25-22 lead.
Trendon Watford's layup gave LSU its first lead at 29-27 before Tyree's jumper with 11 seconds left created the halftime tie.
--Field Level Media