For the first time since Feb. 13, the LSU men’s basketball team won.
But, it was much, much less than a delightful, relaxed win.
The Tigers (17-12, 10-6 Southeastern Conference) reversed their once-dull future with a 96-91 victory against Florida on Saturday night.
A fast-paced, up-tempo first half ended with the Tigers at an 11-point advantage, 40-29, and everything seemed to be going LSU’s way.
LSU capitalized on the Gators’ 10 first-half turnovers with 17 points, shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
“We had a lackadaisical mentality,” said Florida sophomore forward Devin Robinson. “We knew we needed to do something so we wouldn’t get embarrassed here.”
Then, LSU allowed, or Florida earned, 62 second-half points.
“We were too passive,” freshman forward Ben Simmons said. “We took our foot off the gas.”
LSU was in control and scoring at will. It commanded a 64-47 lead with 10:05 left in the second half.
Behind freshman guard Antonio Blakeney’s career-high 32 points on a 9-of-13 shooting night, LSU, and its fans, knew it couldn’t lose once again, Simmons said.
“Everybody knew we needed this win,” Simmons said.
Blakeney knocked in eight of his 12 free throws in the last 0:28 seconds, leading LSU to its five-point victory.
“Really, it was just my teammates believing in me,” Blakeney said.
Other than shooting 17 total free throws, Blakeney wasn’t left alone.
Simmons, Blakeney and junior point guard Tim Quarterman combined for 59 points on 18-of-30 field goals on Saturday night, and 11 of the Tigers 15 turnovers.
To Quarterman, 15 team turnovers was far too many.
“That’s way too many,” Quarterman said. “I contributed to that a lot tonight. We just need to take care of the ball.”
Quarterman’s self-indictment was accurate. He, and Simmons, rattled off four turnovers apiece. Blakeney added three of his own, which was heavily overshadowed by his superb scoring soiree.
For three-straight games, Blakeney has bolstered the Tigers. He posted 74 total points among the trio of contests, which is no surprise to Simmons — who has finished in double-figure scoring in 28-of-29 games.
Simmons — the SEC’s leader in double-doubles now at 20 with 22 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday — had no problem assisting Blakeney during his hot stretch.
“He’s the best shooter on our team,” Simmons said. “I believe he’s the best shooter in the SEC. So, every time he gets an open look, I want him to shoot it.”
Sophomore reserve Darcy Malone added two career-highs with five rebounds and two steals, respectively. Sophomore Jalyn Patterson shadowed Blakeney’s, and Malone’s, career-high figures with five steals of his own.
In accordance with their gameplan, the Gators focused on double-teaming Ben Simmons inside the 3-point line. On three of his five assists, Simmons kicked the ball to a wide-open Patterson for a trey. Patterson finished with 11 points, tying his season-high mark for the third time this season.
Florida continuously tossed different defensive looks at Simmons, Jones said, yet LSU adapted to the Gators arsenal of schemes behind its first-year coach Mike White.
“They’re a solid team,” Jones said. “They press a lot. We did a good job managing it and making plays.”
LSU’s win on Saturday landed the Tigers, again, one-game behind the SEC’s leaders: Kentucky and Texas A&M.
LSU will face Missouri (10-19, 3-13 SEC) on Tuesday, followed by Kentucky (21-8, 11-5 SEC) in Lexington on Saturday.
“At the end of the day, we had a big time win for us at home to put us in a favorable situation to end this conference season strong,” Jones said.

Gallery • 1 Photos

Haskell Whittington

LSU freshman forward goes up for the tip off against Florida sophomore center John Egbunu (15) during the LSU 96-91 victory against the Florida Gators on Saturday Feb. 27, 2016, in the PMAC.