LSU coach John Brady’s teams have a reputation for being among the toughest defensively. Before 7,263 fans in the PMAC on Saturday, Brady’s Tigers showed how tough they can be by beating Arkansas 65-52.
With the score tied 49-49 with 7:05 left in the game, LSU turned up the heat defensively and held the Razorbacks scoreless until 0:05 seconds left in the game when Charlie Tatum hit a 3-pointer. The Tigers finished the game on a 16-3 run.
“Our defense was outstanding,” Brady said of the game’s final minutes. “We covered them, we didn’t give them offensive rebounds down the stretch and we finished the sequence by rebounding the ball. That’s how you win.”
LSU (16-4, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) extended its winning streak to four games and now has the week off before returning to action against Florida on Saturday.
The Tigers held Arkansas to 7-of-27 shooting in the second half, including 3-of-14 from behind the arc and just 20 second half points.
“When the score was tied, I figured we needed to come back and play tough defense and get the ball back and come down on offense and get an easy basket,” said guard Darrel Mitchell, whose two free throws made it 51-49 and gave LSU the lead for good. “We were able to do that and the lead got larger as the game went on at the end.”
Before a lay-up by Jonathon Modica tied the game 49-49, the Tigers had been in control for most of the contest, especially in the inside game.
Jaime Lloreda scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double and 13th on the season. Mitchell scored 15 points and Brandon Bass added 14.
The Tigers solved Arkansas’ zone defense early in the game by getting the ball to Bass and Lloreda inside while Mitchell hit from the perimeter.  
The Tigers did not take as many perimeter shots as they did Wednesday against Tennessee, but there was no need to with Bass and Lloreda easily getting to the basket.
“You go to the well until the well runs dry,” said guard Antonio Hudson. “All year we’ve been going to Jaime and Brandon so why stop now?” 
Mitchell and Lloreda both had 11 points at halftime while Bass had 10 for a 35-32 LSU lead.
“Earlier in the year, we couldn’t get the ball inside,” Brady said. “But now we’ve gotten more accustomed to it and put in a few things that allows us to get the ball to the basket against zone. Until they take that off, there’s no reason to really shoot any perimeter shots. We sprinkled in a few jump shots and they had to come out and guard us man to man.”
Arkansas (11-9, 3-6) would not go quietly though. Forward Matt Jones, who also is the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback, scored a career-high 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Ronnie Brewer had 13, including three 3-pointers to keep Arkansas close. But down the stretch, the Tigers took away easy basket opportunities and Lloreda grabbed every rebound in sight. LSU out-rebounded Arkansas 41-34 and had 16 offensive rebounds.
“I just decided to go for every rebound because my team needed me in those close moments,” Lloreda said. “They always say that’s the best part of my game and it’s not hard for me to do. It was a team effort. We’ve played like a team the last two games. When we come to the locker room everybody is happy, and that makes me happy.”
Brady said he was pleased at the position his team is in now after starting 2-3 in league play and losing some close games. 
“To have a week off and have won four in a row is good for this team,” Brady said. “I do think at this point in time, with what we’ve done recently, we’re one of the best 25 teams in the country.”