BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 24: Terrance Toliver #80 of the Louisiana State University Tigers catches a touchdown pass over Neiko Thorpe #15 of the Auburn Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
3 takeaways from Auburn basketball’s game at LSU
Auburn’s defense sparks early double-digit lead
After opening the game missing its first nine shots, Auburn shot 40% from the floor against LSU. The orange and blue Tigers connected on just eight 3-point shots, shooting 32% as a team.
Despite the shooting woes, Auburn’s defense was stellar scoring 22 points off of 20 LSU turnovers. LSU trailed as most as 12 points in the first half behind a 17-2 run from Auburn before halftime.
“We grinded it out. I thought our defense was really, really good. To turn over a team 20 times at home, I thought we impacted ball screens and were really aggressive,” Pearl said. “Our defensive game plan was really effective.”
LSU only led once in the contest dropping its sixth conference game of the season. This is the 12th Quad-1 victory for Auburn, adding on to the SEC record they set this year.
Auburn’s recent basketball game against LSU on January 13, 2024, concluded with a decisive 93-78 victory for Auburn. This win not only extended Auburn’s winning streak to nine consecutive games but also highlighted several key aspects of their performance. Here are three significant takeaways from the matchup:
1. Bench Strength and Depth
One of the standout performances came from Chad Baker-Mazara, who contributed 19 points and six steals off the bench. His energy and efficiency provided a substantial boost, underscoring Auburn’s depth. Such bench contributions are crucial, especially in high-stakes conference games, as they offer the team flexibility and sustained intensity throughout the game.
2. Defensive Prowess Leading to Offensive Opportunities
Auburn’s defense was particularly effective, achieving a season-high 16 steals and forcing 17 turnovers from LSU. These defensive efforts translated into 26 points off turnovers, showcasing Auburn’s ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. This aggressive defensive strategy not only disrupts the opposing team’s rhythm but also creates additional scoring opportunities, a factor that played a significant role in building and maintaining their lead.
3. Consistency in Free-Throw Shooting
Auburn demonstrated remarkable accuracy from the free-throw line, converting 27 of 31 attempts. This 87% success rate is notable, especially considering the team’s historical performance. Such consistency in free-throw shooting is vital in close games, as it ensures that the team capitalizes on scoring opportunities when the clock is stopped, thereby maintaining or extending leads.
In summary, Auburn’s victory over LSU was characterized by significant bench contributions, a strong defensive performance that created offensive opportunities, and exceptional free-throw shooting. These elements combined to secure a convincing win and highlight the team’s strengths as they progress through the season.
