Mike Williams III put up 15 points and three of his LSU teammates added double-digit point totals in the Tigers’ 74-56, come-from-behind win over Alabama State on Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La.
Williams scored 13 of his points in the second half. LSU’s Jordan Wright hit four 3-pointers and finished with 13 points. Jalen Reed also scored 13 and Trae Hannibal finished with 11 as the Tigers (6-4) overcame a 34-30 halftime deficit to avoid a second consecutive loss.
The Hornets (4-5) were unable to extend their win streak to four games despite getting a game-high 18 points from TJ Madlock. Isaiah Range scored 15 and CJ Hines added 13.
With the lead and momentum at halftime, Alabama State hoped to close the deal on a big win for the program. The Hornets began the second half well, as Hines and Madlock hit 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 40-35 with 17:23 to play.
Then Williams took over during a 13-0 run that set the Tigers up with a 48-40 lead with 13:57 to go. His jumper gave LSU the lead for good at 41-40 and he soon followed with a couple of 3-pointers.
Range hit a 3-pointer with 12:06 left to halt the run, but the Hornets were unable to keep pace with the Tigers, who took their first double-digit lead (54-43) with 9:56 remaining on a 3-pointer from Derek Fountain.
In the first meeting ever between the two schools, LSU had control early, using an 8-0 run to push ahead 11-5.
Madlock buried a 3-pointer to end the drought, trimming the deficit to 11-8, and then he kept the Hornets hanging around in the opening half.
His 3-pointer with 4:09 left in the half put Alabama State up 26-24. Hannibal answered with a 3-pointer at the 2:39 mark and then threw down a dunk 15 seconds later as the Tigers surged ahead 30-26.
However, the Hornets closed the half on an 8-0 run. Hines provided the biggest spark, making a layup and a 3-pointer to help Alabama State go into halftime with the advantage.
–Field Level Media