LSU scores overtime win over Wake Forest, 86-80

CHARLESTON, South Carolina – The LSU Tigers outscored Wake Forest, 14-8, in overtime to win the fifth-place game in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, 86-80 late Sunday afternoon at TD Arena.

The Tigers finished the event 2-1 overall, winning against North Texas and Wake Forest after an opening round loss to tournament finalist Dayton. It marked the third straight year the Tigers have defeated the Demon Deacons on a neutral court in regular season play.

It also gave the Tigers their 2-1 finish in the Charleston Classic. In the 2011 version, LSU lost the opener and then won the last two games, with the last win also against an ACC team, Georgia Tech.

LSU had one of its more impressive opening 20 minutes, leading for 19:46 in getting a 46-36 halftime advantage. LSU had an 11-point scoring run in the first half that gave them a 14-point lead at the 6:31 mark, 38-24.

After the halftime break, the Tigers were not in sync early and Wake Forest scored the first eight points to cut the game to two at 46-44 with 16:19 to play. The Deacons would tie the game for the first time since the opening tipoff at 48 at the 12:52 mark, but LSU would get fouled on the ensuing possession and took the lead back and held a four point, 72-68, lead with 34 seconds to play.

Wake Forest got a layup to cut it to two with 24.4 left and after the Tigers missed both ends of a two-shot foul, the Demon Deacons were able to tie the game on an offensive rebound put back by Andrew Carr with 14.4 seconds to play.

LSU called time out to set up a final possession but Jalen Reed missed an in the paint jumper shot. Tyrell Ward got the rebound but couldn’t get a shot up before the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

In the five-minute extra session, the teams swapped buckets before an LSU turnover gave Kevin Miller a chance to throw in a bucket to give the Demon Deacons their first lead of the game at 76-74, 58 seconds into overtime.

But LSU bowed up both offensive and defensively and took the lead right back 21 seconds later on a Ward three-pointer and pushed the margin to 79-76 on a Ward layup off a WF turnover.

LSU would never trail again as they answered Wake Forest’s remaining points and made three-of-four free throws late as the Demon Deacons made just 3-of-11 in overtime from the field and 0-of-5 from distance after making 8-of-18 in the first 40 minutes.

Will Baker led LSU making 9-of-15 overall with a trey and 4-of-4 at the free throw line for 23 points and eight rebounds (six offensive). It’s his second 20-point game of his first five at LSU and his 10th game of 20 or more in his career.

Jordan Wright had 15 points and Jalen Reed was back in double figures with 12, including four blocks.

Hunter Sallis led Wake with 22 points, while Miller had 19 points, Cameron Hildreth 18 and Carr 17.

Despite shooting just 25.9 percent in the second half, LSU finished strong, making 4-of-6 in the overtime and 1-of-1 from three-point range. For the game, LSU shot 40.8 percent (29-of-71) and made 7-of-18 three-point attempts. LSU was 21-of-31 at the line.

Wake would finish at 46.7 percent, making 8-of-23 from distance and 16-of-20 at the line. LSU out rebounded the Demon Deacons, 43-39 with an 18-9 edge on the offensive glass. LSU had a 38-32 advantage in the paint and 16-12 in points off turnovers.

The Tigers return home to face North Florida Friday at 7 p.m. in the Maravich Center. Tickets are available at LSUTix.net.

LSU release.