The larger Missouri lineup spelled disaster for the LSU men’s basketball team, as it dropped an 89-76 decision in Mizzou Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Missouri (21-8, 10-6 Southeastern Conference) outscored LSU (17-10, 8-8 SEC) 52-24 in the paint while tallying 24 second-chance points. Senior forwards Alex Oriakhi and Laurence Bowers both secured double-doubles, combining for 41 points and 20 rebounds for Missouri.
“One of our concerns was [Missouri’s] ability to score in the paint,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones in a post-game radio interview. “That came to haunt us. … We were probably a little bit out-manned and a little bit out-toughed today, and they outplayed us there in that area.”
The first half featured several momentum swings, as a 25-6 LSU run fueled by a 3-point shooting clinic put the visiting Tigers up by 13. But Missouri struck back, capitalizing on its size advantage to drive its deciding 29-8 run.
While Missouri had a balanced first half in terms of scoring, sophomore guard Anthony Hickey carried LSU with 17 points on a 5-of-8 shooting clip from beyond the arc. Hickey racked up career-highs with 22 points and six made 3-pointers.
Though LSU went into the break down by only four points, Missouri pushed the lead to 10 in the early minutes of the second half. Missouri spent most of the second period leading by double digits, as LSU couldn’t quite produce a run to close the gap. LSU made several defensive stops down the stretch, but it was rarely able to turn those stops into points.
Five Missouri players scored in double figures, with Bowers leading the way with 23 points. Junior guard Phil Pressey thwarted Hickey with 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
“I thought Anthony was playing extremely well, but unfortunately picked up a few tough fouls,” Jones said. “He was guarding one of the best players in the nation in Pressey. It was a very physical game, a very quick game.”
Senior guard Charles Carmouche accumulated more than 20 points for the third straight game, finishing with 21 points and five assists. Sophomore forward Johnny O’Bryant III followed up with 18 points and eight rebounds.
LSU will compete in its final road game of the regular season when it takes on Texas A&M on Wednesday night.
LSU head coach Johnny Jones, left, tries to make his case for a called foul to a referee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri Saturday, March 2, 2013, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 89-76. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
