FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The frustrations of the LSU Tigers continued on Saturday as the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Tigers, 87-70, at Bud Walton Arena.
The Tigers and Razorbacks combined to finish with a combined 60 turnovers with LSU turning the ball over 33 times and Arkansas 27 times. In all the two teams combined for 74 points off the turnovers, Arkansas 47 and LSU 27.
Arkansas took advantage of the lack of Tigers depth by putting full court pressure on the LSU squad from the beginning. Arkansas hit 9-of-14 three-pointers in the first half in building a 49-24 advantage.
LSU was able to better stay with the Hogs in the second 20 minutes, actually outscoring Arkansas, 46-38. Brian Beshara seemed to break out of his recent slump, finishing with 23 points, 19 in the second half. Beshara hit three three-pointers and 10-of-11 free throws in the game. Jason Wilson, who got his first LSU start after Ronald Dupree was disciplined for being late for the team bus to the arena, was 6-of-10 from the field, finishing with a career high of 14 points.
Dupree, who still played 35 minutes, had his 12th double double of the year with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Jermaine Williams continued his improved scoring with 12 points.
T. J. Cleveland led Arkansas, which had 60 points off the bench, with 19 points, with Jannero Pargo getting 15 and Blake Eddins 14. Brandon Dean was the only start in double figures with 12 points.
The Razorbacks are now 6-6 in league play and 15-9 overall. The Tigers become the first SEC team to fall below .500 at this time of the year with an 11-12 record and a 1-11 league mark going into Wednesday’s Jefferson Pilot telecast at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena.
LSU dressed just nine players for the game, as Brandon Landry did not travel with the team, suffering from the flu, while walkon Brian Greene suffered a fractured fibula in Friday’s practice prior to traveling to Fayetteville.