LSU Men’s Basketball Bows Out of SEC Tournament, 91–62, to Mississippi State

Photo By: LSU ATHLETICS

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — March 12, 2025

LSU’s 2025 men’s basketball season came to an end Wednesday night in Nashville, as the Tigers fell 91–62 to Mississippi State in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. Playing short-handed, LSU showed fight early but couldn’t keep pace with the Bulldogs’ depth and perimeter shooting as the game wore on.

Hubbard’s Heater Flips the Game

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard delivered the game’s defining performance, hitting six three-pointers and finishing with 26 points. His timely shooting stretched a close contest into a double-digit lead, giving the Bulldogs control they never surrendered.

Tigers Short on Depth

LSU entered the tournament missing key pieces, and the thin rotation became a factor against a physical Mississippi State squad. The Tigers competed hard in spurts, but the Bulldogs’ bench provided a spark that LSU simply couldn’t match. Despite the deficit, LSU continued to scrap for rebounds and push tempo whenever possible, showing resilience even in a difficult matchup.

Second-Half Swing

After trimming the margin early in the second half, LSU looked poised to make a run. But Mississippi State answered with a 17–0 stretch, using balanced scoring and tough defense to put the game out of reach. The Tigers battled to the final whistle, but the run proved decisive.

Looking Ahead

The result closes the book on a challenging season for LSU, one that mixed flashes of promise with growing pains in a competitive SEC. For head coach Matt McMahon and his staff, the offseason will be about building depth, adding consistency on the glass, and finding more scoring options to complement the backcourt.

While the final score was lopsided, LSU showed determination to the end. With key recruits on the way and returning experience, the Tigers have a foundation to grow from as they aim to climb back into the SEC conversation next year.