In spite of another double-double from freshman forward Ben Simmons, the No. 22 LSU men’s basketball team fell to Marquette University, 81-80, in the Legends Classic Monday night in Brooklyn, New York.
Simmons tallied 20 rebounds, seven assists and 21 points, including shooting 9-for-11 from the free throw line, in his first full-game as a Tiger, but it wasn’t enough.
Despite taking its first lead with 21 seconds left in the second half, LSU (3-1) couldn’t complete the rally to steal a win from the Golden Eagles (2-2).
With less than 30 seconds left, Simmons drove into the paint filled with Marquette defenders and hit layup to put LSU ahead by one.
On Marquette’s next possession, senior guard Josh Gray fouled junior guard Jajuan Johnson, giving the Golden Eagles a chance to take a one-point lead with two free throws.
Johnson, a 75 percent free-throw shooter, drained both shots.
On the final play of the game, Simmons drove into the lane and three passes later sophomore guard Jalyn Patterson’s three-point shot bounced off the rim.
Junior guard Tim Quarterman finished behind Simmons with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
For the third straight game, the Tigers were out-rebounded to the tune of 47-to-40.
LSU will play the loser of the University of Arizona State and North Carolina State University at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Barclays Center.