By Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE — When the going got tough, LSU and Torris Bright got tougher. LSU overcame a nine-point halftime effort to defeat Alabama, 76-66, Wednesday night at the Maravich Assembly Center.
The Tigers were backed by a crowd of 13,670 screaming fans.
LSU improved to 13-0 and, more importantly, 1-0 in Southeastern Conference play, while Alabama fell to 7-6, 0-1 in the SEC.
Torris Bright led the Tigers with 21 points and seven assists and five steals to go along with countless intangibles.
The Tigers were shorthanded missing reserves Jermaine Williams and Collis Temple. Both are nursing minor injuries.
Coach John Brady saw a different Tiger team in the second half.
“Basically what you saw was two different halves,” Brady said. “Alabama played extremely well in the first half and we played an extremely good second half.”
Alabama came in and challenged the LSU frontcourt with aggressive play. They fed the ball to the post offensively and forced LSU into foul trouble. Stromile Swift was not much of a factor early in the game due to his two fouls within the first three minutes of the game.
Led by freshmen standouts Schea Cotton and Terrance Meade, the Crimson Tide jumped out to a 17-8 lead to begin the game. The two combined for 13 of the Tides points. After an official timeout at the 11:24 mark, LSU found some rhythm. Bright and Swift connected on an electrifying ally oop slam. This was followed by two three pointers courtesy of Bright. LSU outscored Alabama, 17-11, during the comeback run.
A large part of the Tigers success was due in part to the switch to the 2-3 high-pressure zone defense. This caused lots of problems for a young Alabama team.
Only down by three the Tigers challenged for the lead, but Meade drilled another three pointer ending the Tigers threat. The Tide went on a 9-0 run just before half and LSU went into the lockeroom trailing 41-32.
In the second half Jabari Smith started to dominate inside. He posted up and scored seven early points getting LSU back into the game.
The Tigers took their first lead of the game at the 11:34 mark. Trailing 42-47 LSU made a 15-0 run capped of by a power slam by Smith in transition. This gave the Tigers a 56-47 lead in which they never looked back upon.
The Tigers closed out the game with some razzle-dazzle provided by ally oop jams by Swift and skillful dribbling by Bright.
LSU received a balanced scoring attack from its lineup. LSU almost put all five starters in double figures. Besides Brights 21, Swift and Beshara each scored 16, followed by 12 points from Smith and nine points by Roland.
Cotton finished with 21 points for Alabama. Meade led all scorers with 22 points.
LSU returns to action Saturday night at 7 p.m. against No. 15 Tennessee in the PMAC. Tickets are available by calling (225) 388-2184.