LSU Survives Scare from Georgia, 82-77

Photo By: Phillip Cancilleri

Da Boot Sports
2/2/2023
By: Jordan Taylor
​

   BATON ROUGE, LA - The 3rd ranked Lady Tigers improved to 22-0, 10-0 on Thursday Night, beating Georgia 82-77 in overtime thriller.

   LSU gutted out the win in front of their home crowd after what looked like an off night for most.

   The Lady Tigers fed off the energy of the crowd late while their big two got it going when they were
​needed the most.

   Angel Reese​ continues her dominance 22 games into the season, finishing with her 22nd double-double in a row.

   Georgia came ready and shot extremely well from the field, but when Angel Reese got it going late in the 4th quarter and into overtime their was no answer for her presence in the paint. 

   Reese lead the Tigers with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Alexis Morris had a huge second half with 15 points including two big clutch free throws to close out the victory. Sa'Myah Smith came through with 10 much needed  points off the bench.

   In the first quarter we saw a constant rotation in the lineup as Mulkey's frustration started to boil as the turnovers piled up.

   It was a strong quarter for Georgia but LSU would keep things close by finding their way to the line and getting into the bonus late in the period. Georgia still managed a 15-10 lead as we headed to the second period.

   LSU needed some type of spark and that's exactly what Mulkey got when she inserted two of her bench players. Last-Tear Poa and Smith played several minutes, scoring huge baskets, sparking a 9-0 run to start the second quarter.

   As we approached the four minute mark, we were tied up 23-23.

   LSU struggled with Georgia's zone but kept finding their way to the free throw line to keep pace. As we
approached halftime, Alexis Morris found herself scoreless after her huge Monday night performance.

   Georgia held the lead, 30-29 going into halftime. Smith was LSU's leading scorer with 8 points.


   In the third period LSU started to find success in the paint and that's where the Lady Tigers lived for
the majority the rest of the way.

   Morris wouldn't join the scoring until the six minute mark in the third quarter, coming through with some big baskets late in the contest.

   LSU showed their toughness as they faced some adversity in the third period, getting out hustled while shooting poorly.

   Georgia continued to bring the fight, going on a 6-0 run to close out the third with all the momentum, leading 55-50.

   The Bulldogs found themselves building their biggest lead of the night in the final period, holding a 9 point lead, putting LSU in a huge hole.

   But the Lady Tigers didn't blink as they went to work finding Angel in the paint, followed by a huge three pointer by Morris, cutting the lead to four.

   The rest of the way the PMAC crowd of 8,716 came alive, helping to fuel LSU down the stretch.

   Reese and Morris began to take over late, fighting and scratching as they pulled the ballgame even, 66-66 with less that a minute remaining.

   LSU had a huge defensive stop with under ten seconds allowing everyone to breathe. Morris then had an  opportunity to win the game in regulation, but her shot fell short sending the contest into overtime.  

   Both teams entered the overtime period in foul trouble and in the bonus.

   LSU went ahead by three with 3:43 remaining following a Morris steal and score.
   
   But Georgia stormed right back to tie the game at 74-74 after back to back LSU turnovers. 

   The biggest shot of the night came from LSU's senior leader Alexis Morris, delivering when needed the most,  giving LSU a three point lead with 49 seconds remaining.

   It was all guts this night as Flau'jae Johnson and Morris each sank free throws to put the game on ice and close out the 82-77 victory for LSU...

   With the win, the 3rd ranked Lady Tigers now shift their attention to their third game of the week as they will hit the road to take on Texas A&M on Sunday, Feb 5th. 

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Photos Below By: Phillip Cancilleri