COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Freshman Jarrell Martin scored a career-high 18 points to lead LSU to a 71-68 win over South Carolina on Saturday.
LSU (10-4, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) led 64-50 with 5:45 to go before South Carolina (7-8, 0-2) scored nine straight points to cut the Tigers lead to 64-59. LSU hit seven of 12 free throws down the stretch, forced a couple of turnovers and got an offensive rebound to hang on.
The game was tied at 42 with 12 minutes left when Jordan Mickey sank a jumper. The Tigers scored on their next four possessions, with Johnny O’Bryant III and Mickey each hitting two buckets to put LSU ahead 52-45.
South Carolina has lost its first two SEC games for the third straight season. Freshman Sindarius Thornwell led the Gamecocks with 25 points.
