LSU defeats South Carolina, 85-80
LSU (10-2) made a late run to defeat South Carolina, 85-80, Saturday night in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
LSU was led by freshmen guard Cam Thomas, who scored 25 points, and came up with multiple late buckets for the Tigers. Sophomore forward Trendon Watford contributed 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Junior guard Javonte Smart chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds.
Keyshawn Bryant led South Carolina (3-3) with 26 points and seven rebounds.
The Tigers will host Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. CT.
QUOTES FROM WILL WADE:
Opening Statement...
“We found a way. South Carolina played great. We had no answer for (AJ) Lawson in the first half. Did a better job in the second half. I was proud of our guys. Javonte (Smart) responded well. Came up huge for us in the second half. Played through Trendon (Watford). Cam had some great free throws and some great finishes down the stretch. I thought (Josh) LeBlanc gave us tremendous energy tonight as well. Good team effort. Just happy to win. It’s tough to win in the SEC. I give Bruce (Shingler) and Coach (Frank) Martin, their staff and their team a lot of credit. They were game from the get-go and ready to go. They played tremendously all night long. We were just fortunate enough to make some shots in the second half and make a few things happen.”
On what he saw in his defense in the last eight minutes …
“We just have to be more consistent. We talk about those six-minute games. We did a great job in the six-minute game. One of our biggest problems defensively was that we turned the ball over so much. We gave them nine points in the first half off pick sixes. We gave them another one against the zone there in the second half. If we can get back and get our defense set. We had to make a couple of adjustments in the two-two-one. We were losing (AJ) Lawson behind in the one-three-one. Our guys really dug in. It helps when we have (Josh) LeBlanc out there. He can really set the tone out there for the defense and he really did a nice job of that.”
On Trendon (Watford) in the last few minutes …
“Trendon did a great job all night. They were collapsing on him. He did a good job finishing. He did a great job at the free-throw line. Nine of ten from the free-throw line. He was really really good. You have to play through your hot hand. Then Cam (Thomas) was able to make plays down the stretch off the ball screens with Trendon also. It was a team effort. We were able to play through Trendon in the post. That’s where the mismatches were. That’s where we were able to make things happen.”
QUOTES FROM LSU PLAYERS:
Guard Javonte Smart
On last eight-minute stretch on defensive end...
“We talk about defense. We know we can score the ball. They were getting some buckets; some back-door looks. We just wanted to lock in when we were down five. We just wanted to get back in that lead, and cut it and tie the game, and on to play defense.”
On Trendon Watford’s down-the-stretch performance…
“They were playing him one-on-one in the post. Once we figured that out, we kept going to him. Cam (Thomas) stepped up again in the second, like he did in the first half. We wanted to feed Watford, because nobody can guard him.”
Guard Cameron Thomas
On playing through physical play...
“It’s a physical game, didn’t really affect me. Coming in we knew it was going to be physical. So, we were already prepared. It was kind of expected so we were good with that.”
How important the free-throw line was down the stretch...
“For sure, we knew coming in they were going to be very physical. It was going to turn into a lot of fouls, a free-throw shooting contest. Make our free throws and close the game out. We already knew that coming in.”
Forward Trendon Watford
On his game down the stretch...
“That’s why I work, I get up every morning working out with coaches at ten in the morning. I try to be built for this. I pride myself on that, wanting the ball in my hands, when the game is on the line to make plays. I think did a good job of that, making free throws and making baskets. Just trying to help my team win. I’m going to keep getting better, keep doing what I do.”
On technical foul...
“That was on me. I have to be better. I was a little emotional. I’ve got to be better down the stretch.”
On drawing fouls and physical play late…
“Coach Wade, he told us were going to shoot a lot of free throws in this game. We did. I’ve been working on my free throws, all summer, all offseason. Every time I get up to the line it’s like I’m in the gym by myself. I keep locking in on that. We’re a great free-throw shooting team and we’re going to get better on that.”