The LSU Tigers reaffirmed their postseason credentials with a commanding 89-77 victory over SMU at the Compete 4 Cause Classic in New Orleans. Guided by Associate Head Coach David Patrick, the Tigers showcased a clinical offensive rhythm inside the Smoothie King Center to improve their season record to 9-1.
The result is a significant milestone for the program, serving as LSU’s first Quad 1 win of the 2025-26 campaign and providing the perfect response to a humbling defeat against Texas Tech just a week prior.
LSU’s dominance was driven by a four-man engine room that accounted for a staggering 75 of the team’s 89 points. The quartet of Marquel Sutton, Max Mackinnon, Dedan Thomas Jr., and Pablo Tamba combined for 26 rebounds and 16 assists in a performance that overwhelmed the Mustangs.
The individual statistics told the story of a balanced and ruthless attack:
- Marquel Sutton spearheaded the frontline, posting a powerful double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
- Max Mackinnon proved lethal from the perimeter, missing just one of his seven three-point attempts to finish with 22 points.
- Dedan Thomas Jr. acted as the primary orchestrator, pairing 16 points with a career-high 12 assists.
- Pablo Tamba anchored the paint with tireless energy, securing his own double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
With SMU falling to 9-2, LSU’s clinical display in the Crescent City suggests a team finding its peak form just as the schedule intensifies.
