Wright, Reed help LSU cruise to 75-61 victory over Vanderbilt

Mar 2, 2024, 05:51 pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- — Jordan Wright had 15 points, Jalen Reed came off the bench to score 13 and LSU breezed to a wire-to-wire 75-61 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Wright made 5 of 8 shots with a 3-pointer and all four of his free throws for the Tigers (16-13, 8-8 Southeastern Conference). He grabbed seven rebounds. Reed hit 4 of 6 from the floor with a 3-pointer and 4 of 6 at the foul line, adding six rebounds. Will Baker, Tyrelll Ward and reserve Mike Williams III all scored 10.

Tyrin Lawrence had 21 points to lead the Commodores (8-21, 3-13), who surrendered the first seven points of the game and trailed the rest of the way. Ezra Manjon scored 17.

Wright had 11 points in the first 13:23 of the game for LSU. His three-point play gave the Tigers a 30-15 lead and they turned it into a 42-22 advantage at halftime. LSU shot 56% in the first 20 minutes and made 8 of 17 attempts from 3-point range (47%). Lawrence had 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting for Vanderbilt, while the rest of his teammates sank 4 of 19 shots. The Commodores missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts before halftime.

Lawrence sandwiched a 3-pointer and a layup around a basket by Manjon and Vanderbilt used a 14-7 run to begin the second half to pull within 49-36. Reed answered with a 3-pointer for LSU, but the Commodores battled back to within 10 at 54-44 on JaQualon Roberts' dunk off a rebound. They would get no closer.

Vanderbilt again cut its deficit to 10 at 62-52 with 4:58 to go, but Reed answered with a layup and Hunter Dean converted a dunk into a three-point play as the Tigers stayed comfortably in front down the stretch.

LSU shot 43.9% overall, made 10 of 31 from beyond the arc and 15 of 19 at the free-throw line. Vanderbilt shot 36.4%, made 3 of 21 from distance and 18 of 25 at the foul line.

LSU travels to play Arkansas on Wednesday. Vanderbilt travels to play No. 16 Kentucky on Wednesday.

——-

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here ------ AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball