LSU basketball secured a significant road victory on Saturday, defeating No. 14 Gonzaga 81-80 in a closely contested matchup.
The game was held before a sold-out crowd at the Numerica Veterans Arena, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
This result marks the first win for LSU over a ranked opponent since 2024, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser.
LSU guard Donovan Dent proved to be the difference-maker in the final moments of the game.
With only one second remaining on the clock, Dent drained a 3-pointer to give his team a one-point lead.
Dent finished the night as the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
The Tigers relied on a balanced offensive effort to sustain their momentum throughout the second half.
Guards Skyy Clark and Abdi Bashir Jr. contributed 14 and 15 points respectively, while center Michael Ruzic added 12 points.
Although the team shot 43% from the field compared to the 45% shooting performance from the Bulldogs, LSU excelled in clutch situations.
The Tigers’ bench provided a substantial boost, scoring 34 points in the victory.
In contrast, the Gonzaga bench managed to produce only 17 points during the contest.
Both teams were evenly matched on the glass, as each squad finished the game with 42 rebounds.
Following this win, head coach Will Wade and the Tigers have moved to an undefeated 4-0 record for the season.
The team is now preparing to return to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for their next nonconference challenge.
LSU is scheduled to face the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks this coming Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The program is looking to build on the momentum gained from this high-profile road win as they continue their early season schedule.
Further details regarding the team’s performance can be found in the original reporting by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser.