BATON ROUGE – In a thrilling SEC matchup, Kentucky’s Malachi Moreno sank a buzzer-beating shot from 17 feet, securing a 75-74 victory over LSU at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Wednesday night. This dramatic finish spoiled what was one of LSU’s strongest performances in recent games, especially considering they were without their star point guard, DJ Thomas, Jr., for the fourth consecutive contest.
The game started in favor of the Tigers, who surged ahead with a commanding 18-point lead early in the second half. They showcased their prowess with a solid first half, hitting 12 of 25 field goals and 5 of 10 from three-point range. In contrast, Kentucky struggled, making just 8 of 30 attempts overall and only 2 of 12 from beyond the arc. By halftime, LSU held a dominant 38-22 advantage.
Marquel Sutton led the charge for LSU in the first half, scoring 14 points, including three three-pointers. However, Kentucky made significant adjustments in the second half, shooting an impressive 65% overall and connecting on 72.7% of their three-point attempts. This resurgence allowed them to chip away at the LSU lead, culminating in a close contest down the stretch.
With 1:40 left in the game, LSU pulled ahead 72-71 after Mackinnon made two critical free throws. As the game approached its climax, both teams exchanged leads. A buzzer-beater by Moreno, after a well-executed play that began with a long inbound pass, sealed the Wildcats’ comeback victory.
Otega Oweh topped the Wildcats’ scoreboard with 21 points, supported by Denzel Aberdeen with 17, while LSU saw five players reaching double figures for the first time this season in a loss. Sutton and Mackinnon each finished with 16 points, and Rashad King contributed 12 points, in a valiant effort despite the heartbreaking defeat.
Officials noted that Kentucky exhibited more offensive fluidity in the second half, alongside strong free-throw performance, converting 11 of 14 attempts. While LSU shot well from the field and out-rebounded Kentucky 32-29, they struggled at the free-throw line, finishing at 67.9%, which proved costly.
LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon praised his team for their effort, noting the tragic close of such a tightly contested game and the importance of their preparation leading up to this match. He also highlighted the need for learning from this experience and carrying the positive aspects into their next game against Missouri.
Kentucky’s Head Coach Mark Pope commended his players for their determination to overcome adversity and secure the late-game win. He emphasized the importance of their leadership in navigating the second half and executing under pressure during the final moments.
This game showcased the resilience of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting SEC season as LSU prepares to host Missouri this Saturday. Fans remain optimistic for the Tigers to bounce back after displaying strong potential throughout the matchup.