Freshman Vyctorius Miller scored 19 points and LSU used a 14-0 second-half run to take control in a 77-68 victory against Charleston Southern on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Jordan Sears added 15 points and Dji Bailey had 11 for the Tigers (4-0).
Daylen Berry had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Taje’ Kelly scored 15 points and RJ Johnson chipped in 14 points for the Buccaneers (1-5).
LSU scored the first five points of the second half to tie the score at 34, and the game was tied four more times in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the period.
Derrick Harris Jr.’s 3-pointer and Reis Jones’ layup gave Charleston Southern a 50-45 lead with 13:34 to go.
Miller made consecutive field goals and Corey Chest added a tip-in to give the Tigers a two-point lead, 54-52, with 11:47 left.
The score was tied two times before Sears scored six points, Bailey had four and Miller and Chest tallied two apiece during the decisive 14-0 run, which gave LSU a 70-58 lead.
Jones’ jumper ended a scoring drought of over six minutes for the Buccaneers and started a 9-2 run that got them within five points with 2:21 remaining.
Chest’s dunk helped the Tigers slow down the rally, though, and LSU held on for the win.
Berry scored the Buccaneers’ first four points of the game to help Charleston Southern open up a 9-6 lead.
LSU took a one-point lead on Chest’s two free throws before four straight points from Johnson gave Charleston Southern a 13-10 edge with 13:12 remaining in the first half.
The Tigers regained a one-point lead, but Kelly answered with a three-point play. Miller’s jumper tied the score at 16, and it was later tied again at 21.
LSU took a four-point lead before Berry scored four straight points to even the score at 25, and it was tied again at 27.
Neither team led by more than four until Berry made a layup with 23 seconds left in the first half to send the visitors into the break up 34-29.
–Field Level Media
