by Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE — The LSU men’s basketball team once again proved its home prowess and its national rankings, this time knocking off 14th-ranked Kentucky, 70-57, here Sunday afternoon in the Maravich Assembly Center.
The win ended a nine-game losing streak to the Wildcats dating back to 1992.
Stromile Swift exploded for 26 points and eight rebounds to lead the Tigers to their 19th win of the season and sixth in the Southeastern Conference.
Brian Beshara continued his recent hot streak by scoring 21 points. Since beating Arkansas on Jan. 26, Beshara has averaged 17 points a game including three 20-plus point performances.
LSU won the game by accepting Kentuckys challenge to play physical. The Tigers played solid defense all day long. At times when LSU struggled offensively, they kept Kentucky from gaining momentum by good defense and more importantly incredible hustle.
“I dont think Ive ever had a team, over this last stretch of games, play defensively or play as hard as this team has played,” explained Brady.
After LSU had opened up an 18-point lead with 7:25 remaining in the game Kentucky stormed back in an effort to pull off a victory.
“You knew Kentucky had too much within them to let the game get away and they came back like coach (Tubby) Smith has taught them. They didnt quit and they play with a tremendous amount of pride,” explained Brady.
Saul Smith was on fire as he scored 11 points during the Kentucky run. He finished the game with 15 points. Smith started it with a three pointer followed by a three pointer from J.P. Blevins. After Jamaal Magloire laid in a basket underneath, Smith struck again with two more three pointers. He then penetrated the lane on the Wildcats next possession scoring an easy lay up. Teyshaun Prince capped off the run with a three pointer from the left wing cutting the LSU lead to 59-54 with 4:21 left in the game.
However, in the midst of this run LSU made big plays which kept the crowd very alive. Torris Bright found Stromile Swift on an ally-oop jam and Beshara broke the Kentucky press dribbling coast-to-coast for a dunk.
With the lead cut to five points, LSU kept its composer and didnt allow the game to get away from them. Bright hit two free throws extending the lead to seven points. Then Bright penetrated the lane and kicked out a pass to Beshara and he nailed a huge three pointer extending the lead to a more-comfortable 10 points at 64-54 with 3:39 remaining.
Stromile Swift iced the game with one of his best dunks of the season. When Lamont Roland drove to the basket and his shot came off the rim, Swift grabbed the rebound and power slammed it electrifying the crowd and ending Kentuckys hopes of a comeback.
“Yes, Kentucky cut the lead from 20 points to five, but in two minutes, the LSU team got the score back where we wanted it showing what we had. Everybody in the game did what was necessary for us to win,” explained Brady.
In the first half, both LSU and Kentucky managed to score inside. Swift opened the game with a post up jump shot for two points. Kentuckys Magloire dominated early on as he scored seven of the Wildcats first 14 points.
Kentuckys zone gave LSU trouble early on. The Tigers couldnt find open shots which accounted for the low scoring early on.
Kentucky cut the LSU lead to two points at 20-18 with 1:54 left in the half. The Tigers responded by going on an 8-0 run to end the half. Collis Temple III scored a big basket after Jabari Smith found him open under the goal. Temple heaved a an off balnce shot which fell giving the Tigers a 22-18 lead with 1:26 left in the first half. After Swift was fouled he missed his second free throw which was rebounded by Beshara. Beshara scored the basket.
Just before half the Tigers pushed the ball in transition and Bright found Smith open for three and Smith nailed it as the half-time buzzer sounded giving LSU a serious momentum boost going into the lockeroom. The Tigers led 28-18 at half-time after scoring six points in the final 26 seconds.
LSU opened the second half on a 15-5 run. The Tigers adjusted well at halftime allowing them success in the second half. Baskets from Swift, Temple and a breakaway jam courtesy of Bright accounted for the run.
The Tigers take to the road for three games, starting Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Ole Miss.