It’s been a rough season for the LSU men’s basketball team, but they got to enjoy a happy plane ride home on Saturday night as the Tigers overcame a five-point deficit with less than 30 seconds to go to stun the Oklahoma Sooners 82-79.
Kansas State transfer Cam Carter scored a career-high 29 points. He had a dozen points in the final four minutes and Carter had seven points in a 12-second span in the final 30 seconds.
Oklahoma led 79-74 with 30 seconds to go, when Carter hit a three-pointer and was fouled. He made the free throw to make it 79-78 Oklahoma.
LSU forced a turnover on the press, Curtis Givens got the steal and got it to Carter who drove to the rim and scored, plus he got fouled. Carter made another free throw and LSU led 81 to 79.
Carter was not the only hero.
Damion Collins also had a career-high 22 points and four blocked shots. He had to leave the game for a brief time when his shoulder popped out of its socket. Collins has been dealing with a shoulder injury since last season.
LSU went into this game short-handed. Derek Fountain didn’t play because of an illness and Corey Chest injured his back.
LSU started a four-guard line-up resulting in Dji Bailey getting a start. Bailey finished with 13 points and hit three 3-pointers in the first half.
The Tigers also played much better defense down the stretch and finished with five guards on the floor when Collins fouled out.
LSU trailed by 13 points in the second half, but held Oklahoma to one three-pointer in the second half and three for the game, while the Tigers hit 11 three-pointers with their small lineup.
It’s LSU’s first SEC Road win since March 2, 2024, against Vanderbilt. They are now 2-10 in the SEC, 13-12 overall and have a winnable game on Tuesday night at home against South Carolina.