LSU basketball suffers ninth straight loss in a shootout with Missouri: Tigers winless in 2023
The losses continue to pile up for LSU basketball.
LSU suffered its ninth consecutive defeat on Wednesday, falling 87-77 at Missouri. The loss extended LSU's winless record in 2023 to 0-9. It was also the seventh time this season it had lost by double-digits, all against SEC teams.
Missouri's offense blew LSU (12-10, 1-8 SEC) out of the water in the first half and LSU couldn't recover. Missouri (17-5, 5-4) scored 48 first-half points, building a 13-point halftime lead that LSU couldn't crack into.
Despite having one of its best offensive performances of the season, LSU couldn't string together enough stops against Missouri's prolific offense.
KJ Williams led LSU with 15 points, while Missouri forward Kobe Brown had a team-high 26 points.
LSU's schedule doesn't get any easier moving forward. On Saturday, it faces No. 5 Alabama in Baton Rouge. The last time coach Matt McMahon's team faced the Crimson Tide on Jan. 14, it lost by 40 points.
Missouri shoots the lights out in the first half
Missouri had trouble missing any shots in the first half, converting on 11 of 23 3-point shots and shooting 53% from the floor.
Coach Dennis Gates' team spread out the floor with its dynamic shooting and forced LSU to defend every inch in the half-court. Combined with its frenetic pace, Missouri's offense got LSU all out of sorts defensively.
Missouri's success on offense shouldn't come as a surprise. Heading into Wednesday, it had the No. 5 offense in the nation, according to KenPom.com.
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A rare size advantage
LSU has had trouble rebounding and utilizing its size, or lack thereof, this season. But in the first half against Missouri, LSU was able to buck the trend.
McMahon's team snatched seven offensive rebounds and outrebounded Missouri 19-15 in the first half.
Missouri's struggles on the glass were consistent with what it's been this season. Missouri has allowed 13.1 offensive rebounds per game.
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU basketball loses to Missouri in ninth consecutive defeat
