Matt McMahon, LSU Snap 14-Game Losing Streak After Defeating Vanderbilt 84-77

Head Coach Matt McMahon and Co. picked up their first win in over 50 days after defeating Vanderbilt 84-77 on Wednesday in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

It was a game the Tigers needed more than anything after riding a 14-game losing streak heading into the night. With 15 games being the longest losing streak in program history, LSU avoided being on the wrong side of history in this one.

For McMahon, it was a sigh of relief to finally get a win under their belt. It’s been a long road coming, and for this group to put it all together and pull out a victory is a huge confidence booster going forward, even if there are just three games remaining.

Here are the quick hits from the Tigers’ first win of 2023:

Energy, Effort and Shot Selection

The Tigers came into this one shot out of a cannon. With a “nothing to lose” mentality, McMahon’s squad handled business from the opening tip by getting inside and controlling the paint.

We’ve seen this group struggle in this area, but going 27-for-60 on field goal attempts, their ability to finish inside propelled them to victory. 

For KJ Williams, he became too much to handle down the stretch. Scoring nine of the Tigers’ 11 points in the middle of the second half, he put on display his slithery finishing ability.

It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine for this unit. Vanderbilt center Liam Robbins was a force to be reckoned with all night. Ending the night with nine blocks, his rim protection gave LSU trouble at times, but persevered in the final 10 minutes.

The Tigers have been known for settling for threes all season long, but making the most of their chances inside against the Commodores, it shifted the game their way in a confidence boosting night.

KJ Williams Erupts Down The Stretch

The anchor. The heartbeat. The soul of this squad. Williams took it to another level against Vanderbilt on Wednesday. The Murray State transfer has been Mr. Reliable all season for Coach McMahon, but against the Commodores, he showcased it all.

Williams ended the night with 35 points and 10 rebounds on 5-for-10 from three-point range. In the first half, the senior leader of this squad, Williams, tallied 12 points on 4-of-11 from the field, but the second half was a completely different story.

Adding 23 points in the final 20 minutes, with a majority of them coming in the final eight minutes, it was a flurry of baskets for the lethal deep threat.

The Trio of Freshmen

Tyrell Ward, Jalen Reed and Shawn Philips have progressed at a rapid rate as this season nears the finish line. With Ward being inserted into the starting lineup and Reed providing key minutes off the bench, the two have been a spark plug for this squad. Add in Philips, who has been productive when given minutes, the youngsters are beginning to put it all together.

Ward and Reed combined for 16 points with Ward going 3-for-3 from the field while Philips ended the night with a goose egg in the points category, but his defensive presence is what gives this group an X-factor.

Philip’s combination of length and instincts make him a weapon on the defensive end, and as he continues to evolve, he’ll be huge in the pick-and-roll game for the Tigers.

Final Thoughts

McMahon and his squad pick up their first win of 2023 in a dominant way. Though the scoreboard shows differently, the Tigers were in control of this one from start to finish.

Led by the veterans in Williams and Adam Miller (14 points), the Tigers got the production and efficiency they’ve been looking for all season.

LSU will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.