Field Level Media
Mar 6, 2021
Cameron Thomas scored 29 points and Trendon Watford added 19 as LSU defeated Missouri 86-80 in the Southeastern Conference regular-season finale for both teams Saturday in Columbia, Mo.
Javonte Smart scored 13 and Darius Days had 12 before fouling out for LSU (16-8 overall, 11-6 SEC), which scored the final six points of the game.
Dru Smith scored 17, Xavier Pinson added 14 and Kobe Brown had 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Missouri (15-8, 8-8).
The score was tied at halftime and three times early in the second half before Pinson's 3-pointer gave Missouri a 51-48 lead.
LSU got within one point four times before Missouri extended its advantage to 63-57 on a layup by Mitchell Smith midway through the half.
Thomas gave LSU a 69-68 lead with a jumper from the circle before Dru Smith ended Missouri's five-minute field-goal drought by making a 3-pointer for a 73-72 advantage.
Watford's jumper and Thomas' 3-pointer gave LSU a 77-73 lead with 3:25 left.
Missouri got within two, but Thomas answered with two free throws.
A flagrant foul helped Missouri tie with a four-point possession, but Watford hit a jumper and Smart and Thomas each made two free throws to complete the scoring.
Days made a 3-pointer and Thomas made two jumpers in a 7-0 run that gave LSU a 15-12 lead.
Dru Smith's layup ended the run but Smart's 3-pointer started another 9-0 surge that produced a 24-14 lead for LSU.
Brown's layup ended a nearly five-minute field-goal drought for Missouri and pulled it within 24-18.
Watford's layup and Days' 3-pointer gave LSU its biggest lead of the half at 29-18.
Torrence Watson made a jumper and a 3-pointer and Drew Buggs hit a 3-pointer and converted a four-point play as Missouri crept within 35-31.
Another 3-pointer by Watson got Missouri within 37-36 and it closed within one point again before Mitchell Smith's 3-pointer completed a 20-9 run that got Missouri even at 40 at halftime.
--Field Level Media