Rewind: UMass 92, LSU 90

Baton Rouge native Sampson Carter made four foul shots in the final 15 seconds to enable Massachusetts to hold off LSU 92-90 on Tuesday morning at the Mullins Center in Amherst.

DECISIVE STRETCH

A basket by Anthony Hickey enabled the Tigers to pull within one point at 77-76 with 8:25 remaining in the game. LSU had the opportunity to take the lead, but Hickey had the ball stolen by Trey Davis. Carter made one of two free throws to give the Minutemen a two-point lead. Tim Quarterman put up an air ball and Davis followed with a 3-pointer. After another Quarterman miss, Cady Lalanne scored a basket after an offensive rebound to give Massachusetts an 83-76 lead with 6:07 remaining. The Tigers would pull within three points twice in the final 20 seconds. But, Carter sank a pair of free throws on both occasions.

KEY PERIOD IN FIRST HALF

LSU football analysis: It's all about the line of scrimmageClick UMass built its first double-digit lead on the strength of offense during a 4½-stretch of the first half. A basket by Jordan Mickey tied the score at 12-12 with 11:14 remaining in the first half. The Minutemen then made four of their next six field goal attempts and seven foul shots while outscoring LSU 16-6. Carter had six points during that span. A three-point play by Derrick Gordon put Massachusetts ahead 28-18 with 6:45 remaining in the first half.Here to view this Link.

KEY PERIOD IN SECOND HALF

LSU fell behind 60-47 in the first three minutes of the second half. However, the Tigers finally began to knock down shots. Over the next seven minutes, LSU was 10-of-14 from the field. The Tigers received balance scoring during this stretch. Mickey made three field goals, while Andre Stringer connected on two 3-points. Hickey made a couple of baskets, including a 3-pointer. Hickey's trey left LSU behind 73-72 with 10:05 remaining in the game.

LSU'S TOP STARTER

Johnny O'Bryant scored a team-high 23 points with 16 coming in the first half. O'Bryant, who faced double teams on numerous occasions, was 9-of-18 from the field. He also grabbed 11 rebounds to register the 18th double-double of his career. O'Bryant contributed two assists and two blocked shots. On the down side, O'Bryant missed five of his ten foul shots and committed four turnovers.

LSU'S TOP RESERVE

Hickey provided a spark off the bench with 16 points and seven assists. The seven assists equaled Hickey's career-high - a number he has reached five times. Hickey was 6-of-13 from the field, but he misfired on six of his nine 3-pointers. Hickey split his two free throw attempts. He accounted for three steals and two rebounds. Hickey, who was guilty of three turnovers, did have trouble on defense containing UMass point guard Chaz Williams.

LSU'S UNSUNG HERO

Mickey was a warrior in the post against Massachusetts' numerous lengthy bodies. He was able to stay out of foul trouble and recorded a double-double in the first game of his college career. Mickey finished with 16 points and ten rebounds. Mickey, who was 7-of-15 from the field, also blocked five shots and made two steals. He was 2-of-3 at the foul line.

KEY STATISTICS

Top defensive end planning visit to LSUClick UMass made more foul shots than LSU attempted. The Minutemen were 28-of-40 (70 percent) at the foul line, while the Tigers were 15-of-25 (60 percent). Massachusetts also shot better on 3-pointers at 46 percent (6-of-13). Davis, Williams and Raphiael Putney each made two treys. LSU shot 32 percent on 3-pointers (7-of-22).Here to view this Link.

NOTES

EXCLUSIVE: LSU RB commit Nicholas Brossette talks about breaking state TD recordClick LSU started three freshmen - Jarell Martin, Mickey and Quarterman - for the first time since the 2006 Final Four when Tasmin Mitchell, Garrett Temple and Tyrus Thomas were in the opening lineup. Stringer and O'Bryant were the other starters. . .Martin played less than one minute before leaving the game with an ankle injury. It is not known how long Martin will be out. . .With Shavon Coleman and Malik Morgan both getting into first-half foul trouble, Shane Hammink received extended playing time at small forward. Hammink had a three-point play, two rebounds and two assists. Neither Coleman nor Morgan had much of an influence in the game. Coleman had five points and four rebounds, while Morgan had one point and two assists. Coleman missed five of his seven field goal attempts, while Morgan missed his two shots. . .Quarterman had a rough debut with five points, three rebounds and one assist. He scored LSU's first basket of the game with a 3-pointer. . .Four UMass players scored in double figures. Williams had a game-high 24 points. Carter, who was 11-of-15 at the foul line, had 17 points. Lalanne, who played sparingly in the first half due to foul trouble, finished with 16 points - all in the second half. Putney had 14 points and nine rebounds. . .The loss was the first in a season-opener for LSU in 18 seasons. The Tigers were beaten by Saint Louis in the Hawaii Tip-off Classic to begin the 1995-96 campaign. That season was also the last time LSU began the year away from the PMAC. The last time the Tigers opened their season with a true road game was 30 years ago when they won at UNO. . .UMass is 2-0.Here to view this Link.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM

Coach Johnny Jones: "UMass has an excellent basketball team. I thought our guys responded well with our youth and playing the first game of the season on the road. We have some areas to clean up, but I was really pleased with our effort. We had guys step up when we had an injury and foul trouble. We have to do a better job of containing the dribble.

"I certainly wished Jarell Martin was available. He has a bright future and we are going to take every precaution. Hopefully, he will be ready in the near future. It was amazing to have a freshman (Mickey) be so impactful on both ends of the court. Asking a freshman to play 38 minutes in this environment is asking a lot, but Jordan did it. Tim Quarterman will have an opportunity to grow from an experience like this.

"Johnny O'Bryant is a serious offensive threat. He did an excellent job delivering for us in the first half. He made plays for us. We are going to go to him if he is not being doubled. When he was doubled, he made some good decisions. Johnny stayed aggressive when he got in foul trouble. Hats off to the way our guys fought and battled. The experience of our guards was obvious. Both Hickey and Stringer stepped up and made big shots for us."

NEXT UP

LSU will play Northwestern State in its home opener Saturday. Tipoff is 7 p.m. The Demons, who beat NAIA member LeTourneau in their season opener, will play at Auburn the night before their game at the PMAC.

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