TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — LSU’s Glen Davis had 24 points and 17 rebounds but couldn’t carry the cold shooting Tigers, as the No. 13 LSU fell to No. 14 Alabama, 71-61, on Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum.
LSU (11-4, 0-1 SEC) lost its Southeastern Conference opener, while Alabama (14-2, 1-1 SEC) bounced back from a 27-point blowout loss to Arkansas on Saturday to win its home opener in the league.
Davis and Tasmin Mitchell were the only bright spots for the Tigers. Davis made 9-of-16 field goals and Mitchell was 8 of 18, while the rest of the Tigers combined to make only 8 of 36 (22.2 percent).
Mitchell finished with 19 points.
Alabama’s three-point shooting was a big part of the Tigers’ inability to overcome the Crimson Tide, as they made 9-of-16 from three-point range while the Tigers were only 3-of-17.
Forward Richard Hendrix led four Tide players in double figures scoring with 18. Forward Alonzo Gee hit four three pointers and finished with 15 points (all in the first half), while forwards Mykal Riley and Jermareo Davidson each had 12. Guard Ronald Steele had eight points and five assists, though slowed by an ankle injury.
Davis and Mitchell led the Tigers to an early 13-6 lead, however, Alabama answered by holding LSU scoreless for more than four minutes to take a 14-13 lead.
A second-chance layup by Davis put the Tigers in the lead again momentarily.
Alabama then extended its run to 27-6 with five three pointers and a pair of fast-break baskets in an 12-minute span.
The Tide made 10-of-16 field goals to lead 33-19 with 2:10 left in the half.
The Tigers cut the lead to single digits at halftime, as Davis banked a three-pointer and had a third-chance basket.
Alabama led 35-24 despite Davis’ first-half double double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Dameon Mason hit a three pointer to cap 7-2 LSU run and bring the Tigers within four, 40-36, early in the second half. However, they would get no closer.
Alabama responded with seven straight to push its lead to 11, 47-36, on a three pointer by Steele.
The Tide led by as many as 12, 56-44, though the Tigers stayed within single digits for most of the way.
A pair of free throws by Davis with 7:37 to play cut the lead to seven, 56-49. But, again, Alabama was able to stave off the threat by getting consecutive baskets by Hendrix.
LSU returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT when the Tigers play host to Auburn at the Maravich Center. The game will be broadcast on Lincoln Financial Sports.