Turnovers Spoil Will Wade's Return to VCU as Tigers Fall 84-82 in First Loss of Season
LSU erased a 14-point second half deficit by superb play from its lead guards Skylar Mays and Javonte Smart down the stretch, but it wasn't enough as 26 turnovers were just too many for the Tigers to overcome, falling to VCU 84-82.
The Tigers did all they could to fight back in the second half Wednesday night that saw the team cough the ball up for the most times since 2014, which coincidentally resulted in a win against West Virginia.
Down 83-82 with 10 seconds to go, LSU looked to its senior leader, Mays, to make a play. Mays got the look he wanted, driving from the left elbow before stopping on a dime for a short bank shot that was just a little strong.
Mays had been solid all night for the Tigers, finishing with 23 points and eight boards but also had a costly seven turnovers. In fact three of LSU's best players, Mays, Smart and Watford, combined for 20 of the 26 Tiger turnovers.
In a hostile road environment, that's just not a recipe for success. Sophomore forwards Darius Days and Emmitt Williams would both foul out in the closing minutes as well, taking the Tigers best two rebounders out of action for the most crucial period of the game.
The season is young and the number of turnovers through two games are horrendous. Coach Will Wade was fuming after the team turned the ball over 16 times against Bowling Green on Saturday but the fact that the team responded with 26 Wednesday, is concerning.
Turnovers and lack of ball movement was a theme all game as the LSU offense allowed VCU to grab control of the game by first half's end. The Tigers committed 12 turnovers in the first half that turned into 24 points on the other end for the Rams.
The Tigers were very stagnant in the first half on offense with little to no ball movement, which is the style of play the team will need to have success this season. LSU had just four first half assists as it watched VCU end the half on a 20-9 run to grab a 50-38 lead going into the break.
Foul trouble also contributed to LSU not being able to gain much of a rhythm as 12 personal fouls led to nine extra points for VCU. On the other hand, the Tigers went 6-of-9 from the foul line in the first half, despite getting in the bonus with still 7:32 left to go.
LSU would finish the game 13-of-17 from the free throw line while VCU would go 23-of-29, a 10-point swing on behalf of 25 total team fouls.
The Tigers next opportunity will come on Saturday when the team hosts Nicholls in the PMAC at 3 p.m.
