In a night that defied the statistics sheet, the LSU Tigers staged a remarkable second-half rally to secure a wild 104-90 victory over Prairie View A&M at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Under the direction of Associate Head Coach David Patrick—the Bermuda-born tactician who has become a pivotal figure in the Tigers' dugout—LSU found themselves staring at a ten-point deficit with just 17 minutes remaining. However, a relentless final stretch saw the hosts outscore the Panthers by 24 points to avoid what would have been a stunning festive upset.
The first half was a masterclass in perimeter shooting from Prairie View, who threatened to blow the game wide open. The Panthers shot a staggering 66.7 percent from the field in the opening frame, including a lethal 10-of-13 (76.9%) from beyond the arc, to carry a 56-51 lead into the interval. Led by Tai’Reon Joseph’s game-high 34 points, the visitors continued their assault early in the second half, stretching their advantage to 63-53. Yet, LSU’s response was clinical; as the Panthers' shooting cooled to just 29.6 percent in the second period, the Tigers began an aggressive "assault on the rim" that completely shifted the momentum.
The defining factor in the comeback was LSU’s historic performance at the charity stripe. The Tigers set a new school record for free throws made in a single game, converting an incredible 43-of-49 attempts. Curiously, the previous record of 41—set against Tulane—dated back to exactly the same day of the year, December 22, in 1979. Marquel Sutton, who posted a 21-point double-double, led the way by sinking 13-of-14 from the line. By neutralizing the Panthers' early fire with a physical interior game and record-setting precision, Patrick’s Tigers ensured they head into the Christmas break with their eleventh win of the season and a place in the history books.
