LSU sophomore forward Johnny O’Bryant III’s career-high 22 points were not enough as his team fell 60-57 at Alabama on Saturday night.
O’Bryant also accumulated 11 rebounds for the Tigers (13-8, 4-6 Southeastern Conference), good for his ninth double-double of the season. The loss breaks LSU’s three-game winning streak and drops the Tigers’ road record to 2-6.
LSU struggled offensively in the first half, trailing 27-21 after the first 20 minutes of play. The Tigers trailed by as many as 11 before beginning to chip away at the Alabama (15-8, 7-3 SEC) lead.
The Tigers eventually cut the deficit to 54-53 with two minutes remaining. Though the Crimson Tide made only six of their 13 free throw attempts down the stretch, LSU was unable to take the lead, as it missed four 3-pointers.
But the Tigers were never out of the game, as they had an opportunity for to tie the game with 1.3 seconds left in the contest. Sophomore guard Anthony Hickey received the ball in the back court and was forced to chuck up a desperation shot that fell short of the basket by several feet.
“I thought our guys did an excellent job of putting themselves in position of challenging around the rim,” LSU coach Johnny Jones said in a post-game radio interview. “We just didn’t get the breaks that we needed, but I’m really proud of our team.”
Four Alabama players scored in double digits, and sophomore forward Nick Jacobs led the Tide with 15 points. Jacobs added five rebounds despite playing for only 19 minutes.
LSU continues its two-game road trip when it travels to South Carolina on Thursday.
Alabama forward Nick Jacobs (15) tries to shoot between LSU guard Malik Morgan (24) and forward Johnny O'Bryant III (2) during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
