NEW ORLEANS — The LSU men’s basketball team wasn’t ready for its season to be done just yet.
The eighth-seeded Tigers (18-13) broke open a halftime tie, overwhelming No. 9 seed Arkansas (18-14) behind freshman forward Johnny O’Bryant III and some stifling defense to dismantle the Razorbacks, 70-54, Thursday in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament,
The win marked LSU’s first in the SEC Tournament since 2009.
O’Bryant III bludgeoned his way to 18 points and 11 rebounds, leading a 41-28 LSU rebounding edge for the day and a first-round triumph.
With the Razorbacks within 5 points, 44-39, midway through the second half, the Tigers finally closed out an opponent for just its third double-digit conference win this season.
O’Bryant III scored nine of the Tigers’ next 14 points and sophomore guard Ralston Turner added a clutch 3-pointer to complete a clinching 13-4 run.
Five Tigers finished in double-figures, with Turner scoring 10, senior forward Storm Warren contributing 14 points and junior Justin Hamilton finishing with 10.
Top-ranked juggernaut Kentucky awaits LSU for a second-round matchup tomorrow.
The Wildcats defeated LSU, 74-50, in the PMAC back in January.
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]