Tennessee 77, LSU 55

Posted 11:00PM on Saturday 5th February 2005 ( 20 years ago )

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee's smaller lineup finally worked, and the success came against two of the Southeastern Conference's most productive post players. C.J. Watson scored 18 points, including two consecutive 3-pointers that helped Tennessee seal a 77-55 victory over LSU on Saturday. Andre Patterson added 13 points and 12 rebounds, Scooter McFadgon had 12 points and Major Wingate 10 for the Volunteers (11-11, 4-5 Southeastern Conference), who ended a four-game losing streak. ``I am very excited for these young men. It has been a challenge these last couple of weeks,'' coach Buzz Peterson said. ``I do like the small lineup we have been using these past few games.'' Center Brandon Crump has been out of the lineup during the losses with a sprained ankle, and his absence figured to be a problem again for the Vols against the Tigers' bigger front line. Peterson is playing more guards and using less experienced players off the bench to make up for the loss of Crump. This time the Vols' guards controlled the game with defense and took advantage of LSU's 14 turnovers. ``(Peterson) told me to be more offensive-minded since Crump's been hurt and that we'd need a lot more scoring. That's what I tried to do help my team any way I can,'' Watson said. LSU (12-7, 5-3) trailed the entire game and had its three-game winning streak snapped. The Tigers' chances diminished after 6-foot-9 Glen Davis fouled out with 4:32 remaining. He finished with his seventh double-double of the season 17 points and 13 rebounds. Antonio Hudson added 13 points and Brandon Bass had 12 after he had been averaging 17.4 points a game. ``We got beat by a team we didn't respond to very well,'' LSU coach John Brady said. ``I am disappointed considering what we have done recently.'' Tennessee built its lead in the first half and continued to extend it as Bass and Davis picked up their fourth fouls early in the second. Bass had a dunk and a putback to cut it to 62-55 with 5:52 left, but Bass' second basket was the Tigers' last of the game. Watson then hit back-to-back 3s, and Tennessee finished the game on a 15-0 run. ``When our perimeter play holds up, we are pretty good. When it does not, we are not. You cannot score every possession off the post,'' Brady said. In the first half, the Vols went ahead by 16 with 1:57 left before LSU went on a 9-0 run to cut it to 40-33 at halftime. Crump is likely to return on Wednesday against Alabama, Peterson said. Peterson said he's not sure how that will change the lineup. ``I'll be confused,'' he said.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/2/141975