Thomas, Smart lead LSU to 94-80 win over Mississippi St.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- — Cameron Thomas scored 25 points, Javonte Smart had 22 points and 11 assists, and LSU pulled away down the stretch to beat Mississippi State 94-80 on Wednesday night.
Darius Days added 16 points and 11 rebounds and Trendon Watford had 14 points for LSU (12-6, 7-4 Southeastern Conference).
Deivon Smith made a layup to cap an 8-2 spurt that trimmed Mississippi State’s deficit to 73-70 with 8 minutes to play. Smart answered with a step-back fade-away jumper and Thomas followed with a 3-pointer to start a 12-3 run that pushed LSU’s lead into double figures for good.
Tolu Smith had 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for Mississippi State (11-10, 5-7). Derek Fountain scored 20 points, Iverson Molinar added 16 and Deivon Smith 12.
LSU set season highs for field-goal percentage (61.3) and assists (22). The Tigers scored 26 points off 15 Mississippi State turnovers and had a 24-8 advantage in fast-break points.
Thomas hit a jumper to make it 35-34 with 2:45 left in the first half and LSU led the rest of the way.
The Bulldogs, who went into the game ranked No. 32 nationally in field-goal percentage defense (39.9), gave up their most points in a game since a 98-92 loss to Auburn on February 7, 2017.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Byron Jarrett
- Joe Lindsay
- Olandis Poole
2023-24 Southeastern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Tennessee | 14-4 | - | 27-9 |
Auburn | 13-5 | 1 | 27-8 |
South Carolina | 13-5 | 1 | 26-8 |
Kentucky | 13-5 | 1 | 23-10 |
Alabama | 13-5 | 1 | 25-12 |
Florida | 11-7 | 3 | 24-12 |
Texas A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 21-15 |
LSU | 9-9 | 5 | 17-16 |
Mississippi State | 8-10 | 6 | 21-14 |
Ole Miss | 7-11 | 7 | 20-12 |
Georgia | 6-12 | 8 | 20-17 |
Arkansas | 6-12 | 8 | 16-17 |
Vanderbilt | 4-14 | 10 | 9-23 |
Missouri | 0-18 | 14 | 8-24 |