Takeaways as LSU MBB ends losing streak, defeats Vanderbilt 84-77
LSU has done it. After 56 days and 14-straight losses, the Tigers have won a basketball game. After the loss to South Carolina, it was uncertain as to whether or not Matt McMahon’s team could get another win with the season winding down.
On Wednesday night in the PMAC, LSU took down Vanderbilt 84-77, ending the long losing streak and uplifting a team that’s been battling through loss after loss.
LSU led by seven at halftime, a lead that was short lived and quickly cut before Vandy even took the lead with 12:42 left in the second half. From there, it was the veterans that stepped up and put the game away for LSU. Here are my takeaways from the win.
KJ leads the way
KJ Williams has had a great year scoring the ball, and this was the perfect matchup for the senior forward. Facing 7-foot center Liam Robbins, Williams was able to pick and pop and spot up from three with ample space on the perimeter. His clutch shots served as daggers late, putting the game out of reach with a career high night.
Williams scored 35 points on 13-of-25 shooting, including 5-of-10 from the free throw line. Williams also had ten rebounds and helped set the tone early on with his aggression. The guards did a find job driving the teeth of the defense and not turning it over, especially Adam Miller, Justice Hill, and Trae Hannibal. Vanderbilt’s defense lended itself to a big night for Williams and he came through.
Good enough defense
The Tigers held Vanderbilt to just over 31 percent shooting in the first half, giving them the cushion necessary to build their confidence with a lead. Vanderbilt was playing some of the best basketball in the SEC entering this game, winners of five straight, but the Tigers’ effort and 2-point defense at least slowed them down. The Commodores 3-point shot kept them in reach, ending the night 11-for-27 from deep, but the defensive end of the court was not as much of a liability for the Tigers in the win.
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The defensive rebounding had been another point of emphasis for McMahon and LSU ended the contest with more total rebounds and only allowed 12 second chance points. It was the consistent effort that McMahon had been waiting to see and Vanderbilt was unable to really attack the Tigers from the perimeter.
Much-needed win
Just a few days ago, Cam Hayes sat at the postgame media availability and showed how much the losing streak was hurting him. He just scored 25 points, but it didn’t matter. The losses were eating away at this team day by day.
But they continued to show up. Very few players have had the seasons that they envisioned at this point in the year, but still they showed up and played hard for their teammates and coaching staff. Guys like Justice Hill, Trae Hannibal, and Jalen Reed have all seen their minutes drop down, but all three played key roles in the win. Derek Fountain set the tone early with his energy. Adam Miller went from one of the top guards in the SEC to being an afterthought as his team lost 14 straight games, but tonight went from 18 points and continued to attack.
For McMahon and this staff, it’s not a validating win as much as one that simply saves some positivity for the future. Whether this team wins one conference game or three, it won’t change the perception of the program. However, in order for this program to win games, it’s going to take buy-in and a strong foundation and that is what this team showed with this win.
