The LSU Tigers escaped today’s game against the Ole Miss Rebels with a 16 points win. The final score is 82-66, but the reason the Tigers escaped is because the team gave up a 14-point, first half lead. 
“It’s hard to build a lead like that in both halves so I give our guys credit for that, but we didn’t close out the first half very well. Poor, poor job on the backboards as usual,” LSU Head Coach Will Wade said. 
The Ole Miss Rebels only grabbed four more rebounds than LSU, but the Tigers do continue to struggle with that aspect of the game. However, senior forward Duop Reath did provide the Tigers with interior offensive attack. Reath’s 26 points are a game high, and he scored 18 of his 26 points in the first half. 
“I just had to be aggressive. Coach even told me, before the game, just to be aggressive.”
Coach Wade said Reath’s performance today was an example of what his training and dedication have earned him. 
“Duop just works really hard. He wants to be good. He just works, and when you work, you give yourself a chance to be successful.”
Reath lead the game in scoring, but Skylar Mays was able to overcome a slow start and put up 17 points and six rebounds. “I just tried to come out aggressive. I got open looks early, and I was able to knockdown shots. Tre did a great job finding me.”
Tremont Waters orchestrated the Tigers’ offense, tallying eight assists for the game, but the Tigers passing and rebounding struggles continue to be an issue Coach Wade is dealing with. 
“That’s embarrassing as a coach that we cannot outlet a basketball. One time a game we screw up an outlet pass. That’s embarrassing, but we won.”
The Tigers will have to try to work on those issues quickly. LSU travels to Alabama Tuesday, February 13th, to begin their final six game stretch.