Tyrell Ward: LSU’s thrilling victory over No. 17 Kentucky saw Tyrell Ward’s heroic shot in the final seconds, leaving the Wildcats and coach John Calipari stunned as jubilant fans flooded the court. Ward’s game-winning floater sealed LSU’s 75-74 win, marking their second consecutive comeback triumph against a ranked opponent.
Ward, who finished with 17 points, described the victory as a testament to LSU’s determination, stating, “We wanted it more than them, plain and simple.”
The Wildcats made a desperate attempt at a comeback, but Adou Thiero’s crucial block led to Ward’s decisive shot, highlighting the Wildcats’ inability to secure key possessions throughout the game, a fact lamented by Calipari.
As fans swarmed the court in celebration, LSU’s women’s basketball star Angel Reese joined the jubilant scene, embracing Ward in the moment of victory. Despite the excitement, Ward admitted, “I blacked out as soon as the shot went in. I can’t remember. I didn’t know nothing that was going on.”
LSU coach Matt McMahon praised his team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of toughness in their recent successes. Antonio Reeves led Kentucky with 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome LSU’s relentless effort.
The game was marked by momentum swings, with Kentucky dominating the first half before LSU staged a remarkable comeback fueled by Ward, Jalen Reed, and others.
In the end, LSU’s perseverance and Ward’s clutch performance secured a memorable win, providing momentum for the team moving forward.
BIG PICTURE
In a matchup against Kentucky, the Wildcats faced offensive struggles beyond their top scorers, Reeves and Dillingham, with no other players contributing more than nine points. Despite shooting nearly evenly with their opponents at 45% compared to Kentucky’s 44%, the Wildcats couldn’t secure the win. Additionally, senior forward Tre Mitchell’s absence due to shoulder and back issues further impacted their lineup, marking his fourth absence in the last five games.
Meanwhile, LSU showcased their growing prowess as they approach the conference tournament. The Tigers dominated the boards with a 38-30 rebounding advantage over Kentucky. Notably, they managed to secure their second consecutive victory despite the absence of guard Jalen Cook, who sat out due to a hamstring injury, which has sidelined him for three of the team’s last five games.