CONWAY, S.C. — The LSU men’s basketball team cut a 14-point second-half deficit to three in the final minute, but suffered its first loss of the season, 71-63, at Coastal Carolina on Tuesday.
LSU (1-1) opened an 18-9 lead in the first nine minutes before Coastal Carolina (3-0) answered with an 11-1 run to take the lead with 5:28 left in the half. The Chanticleers ended the half on an 11-0 run to lead 34-24.
The Tigers trailed by as many as 14 before storming back to get within one, 52-51, after a Justin Hamilton jumper with 6:17 to play. Coastal Carolina’s Anthony Raffa answered with a three pointer and LSU never got closer than three.
Ralston Turner led the way for LSU, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Storm Warren added 14 points and nine rebounds. Hamilton and freshman Johnny O’Bryant III each had nine.
LSU shot 35.4 percent from the field (23-65) and got outrebounded, 53-34.
Coastal Carolina was led by Raffa’s 20 point, 10-rebound effort. Forward Sam McLaurin pitched in 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Chanticleers, which shot 41 percent from the field (25-61).
The Tigers will travel to Charleston following the game where they will practice Wednesday in preparation for the Charleston Classic beginning Thursday at the TD Arena.
LSU meets Northwestern at 2 p.m. CST in the second of four first-round games. The contest will be nationally televised by ESPNU and broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network (New Country 100.7 FM The Tiger in Baton Rouge).
LSU will play Thursday, Friday and Sunday before returning to Baton Rouge. The next home game is Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. against South Alabama. Tickets are on sale at the LSU Athletics Ticket Office and LSUtix.net.