A dream start for the Tigers, full of three point shot-making and energetic defense, quickly turns to business as usual. LSU Men’s Basketball fell to the Georgia Bulldogs, 83-71 on Saturday and now fall to 2-7 in conference play.
Coming into Saturday’s game, the Tigers were riding a very strong momentum wave after their overtime win against South Carolina.
This momentum carried through the first 10 minutes of the game, as the Tigers pounced on the Bulldogs early with a 31-16 run that included four straight made three-pointers.
The hot start quickly turned ice cold. LSU didn’t make another three for the rest of the game, going 0-7 in the second half and shooting 22% from beyond the arc.
“I did think that we got some pretty good looks in the second half when it was a four to seven point game,” Head Coach Matt McMahon said”, Unfortunately we were unable to knock those down. I think we might’ve been 0-7 in the second half from behind the arc after getting off to the great start there.”
The defense also had a very strong start, but wore thin as the game went on. Georgia forward Kanon Catchings shot 100% from the field in the first half and finished the game with 23 points and 4 rebounds.
Max Mackinnon seemed to be the only source of offense LSU can rely on. He led the way with 26 points and 5 rebounds. The Tigers bench unit did not meet his expectations as they got outscored 26-16 in the game. Mackinnon talks about the importance of the team staying together through Saturday’s second half collapse.
“This is the most connected group I’ve been on in all my college years,” Mackinnon stated, “We’re brothers. We all care for each other so we’re going to stay connected and keep moving.”
“Max has been really efficient offensively for us,” Coach McMahon added. “The other team scouts so they’re not going to let him just sit there and take standstill, warmup jump shots. I think the many strengths of his game is his movement without the ball, but it does take a lot out of you.”
With LSU losing four of their last 5 games, they hope to bounce back on Tuesday night where Coach Calipari and his Arkansas Razorbacks come to Baton Rouge.
