LSU 65, Arkansas 60: Charles Carmouche scored a career-high 26 points as the host Tigers edged the Razorbacks to move over the .500 mark for the first time in conference play this season.
Anthony Hickey added 10 points and was the only other player to finish in double figures for LSU (17-9, 8-7 SEC), which has won eight of 11 after starting off league play with four consecutive setbacks.
Marshawn Powell tallied 17 points and eight rebounds for Arkansas (17-11, 8-7), which fell to 1-7 in conference road games.
Carmouche scored 13 of his team’s first 23 points, leading an early offensive explosion by LSU that allowed the Tigers to establish a 15-point advantage nine minutes into the contest. The lead swelled to 45-23 following a 3-pointer from Andre Stringer with 2:08 left before the break, but Arkansas closed the half with nine unanswered points.
The Razorbacks trimmed the deficit to single digits early in the second half and closed to within 62-60 after a dunk by Michael Qualls with 1:42 remaining. However, Arkansas missed its final four shots and Carmouche combined with Johnny O’Bryant to hit three free throws over the last 1:07 to send LSU to its 14th home win in 16 games.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Carmouche, a senior, surpassed the 20-point mark for the third time in four games. Before this stretch, his last 20-point performance came in the final game of his freshman season. … O’Bryant, who entered Wednesday scoring at least 10 points in 11 straight games – and averaging 22 over his last five – was held to five points. … Six of the Tigers’ conference victories have come by five points or fewer.
Arkansas | Louisiana State | |
Marshawn Powell 17 | Scoring | Charles Carmouche 26 |
Mardracus Wade 2 | Assists | Anthony Hickey 5 |
Marshawn Powell 8 | Rebounds | Johnny O'Bryant III 8 |
Marshawn Powell 7 | Free Throws Made | Charles Carmouche 5 |
Mardracus Wade 4 | Steals | Charles Carmouche 2 |
Michael Qualls 3 | Blocks | Andrew Del Piero 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Arkansas | 60 | 35.7 | 6-25 | 14-23 | 8 | 39 | 6 | 10 | 19 |
Louisiana State | 65 | 42.3 | 7-18 | 14-22 | 13 | 31 | 3 | 10 | 18 |