Despite giving up a lead of eight points with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation and trailing by as many as nine in the first overtime period, the LSU men’s basketball team outlasted Georgia, 87-84, in double overtime on Saturday night in the PMAC to remain unbeaten at home.
Sophomore guard Tim Quarterman was the star of the game for LSU, scoring a career-high 27 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. Eleven of his 27 points came in the final two overtime periods.
LSU (12-3, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) was efficient from the field and three-point range for most of the night, led by Quarterman and freshman guard Jalyn Patterson. The combo combined for nine three-pointers, including Quarterman’s three-pointer at the buzzer as the first half expired to give LSU a 42-36 halftime lead against the Bulldogs (9-5, 0-2 SEC).
Georgia junior forward Cameron Forte had a putback to tie the game at 54 with 11:50 left in the second half, but Quarterman immediately responded with a three-pointer from the left corner. Two possessions later, junior guard Josh Gray swiped senior Bulldog forward Marcus Thornton for an easy layup to give the Tigers breathing room again.
The Bulldogs responded, though, with a 13-5 run in the final eight minutes of action. Patterson missed a one-and-one opportunity with 14 seconds left in regulation with the Tigers up 67-65, and Thornton made a layup with a second remaining to send the game into overtime.
Despite Georgia hitting 11-of-12 free throws and LSU sophomore forward Jarell Martin fouling out in the first extra period, Quarterman and Gray combined for all 13 of LSU’s points, including two three-pointers and a three-point play by Quarterman that tied the game at 80 for a second overtime period.
LSU finally regained the lead in the second overtime on a two free throws from Patterson, which marked a career-high 15 points. A layup by Quarterman and five made free throws proved to be the difference for the Tigers as they got their first win in SEC play.