LSU rains on the Tide parade

The day started with Alabama Football celebrating its National Championship over Clemson. The day included the traditional parade and victory speeches. Fans left the festivities and headed inside Coleman Coliseum for a basketball game between the Tide and the Fighting Tigers of LSU. The Tigers came into Tuscaloosa with a nine game road losing streak. The day ended with LSU raining on Alabama’s parade for it its first win in Tuscaloosa since 2004. The final score on the afternoon was 72-70.

LSU improved to 12-7 overall on the year and 5-2 in conference. With the win LSU broke out of a four way tie and leap frogged South Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky for sole possession of second place in the SEC. The team also moved a game and a half behind Texas A&M, who beat the Tigers Tuesday in College Station.

At the half LSU trailed in Tuscaloosa 41-36. Alabama ended the first half on a 15-5 run as Ben Simmons was on the bench with two fouls. Coming out the half, Craig Victor scored and now had nine points on the afternoon. Ben Simmons then passed to Keith Hornsby who drilled a three ball. LSU now trailed by two at 43-41. Simmons scored with a jam off an assist from Tim Quarterman. He now had 15 points on the afternoon. Quarterman scored for three from the top of the key to tie the game at 50.

Alabama went on to its largest lead of the game at six points. Simmons made both shots from the free throw line as a timeout is called with 9:37 left. LSU trailed 60-56. Antonio Blakeley got his own rebound to tie the game. He had 10 points on the afternoon with that basket. Hornsby then answered to make it a one point game at 65-64. Jalyn Patterson later tied the game at 66. After Simmons picked up his 23rd point and fourth foul, Quarterman tied the game from the free throw line and then gave his team the lead at 70-69. He got his own rebound to give his team a 72-70 lead and the win.

The Tigers next face off against Georgia in the PMAC Tuesday night. The Bulldogs are 10-6 overall on the seasond and 3-3 in conference. They are three games behind the Aggies and a game and a half behind the Tigers. LSU will then host the number one team in the country Saturday as the Sooners of Oklahoma come to call.