BATON ROUGE, La.
— On Sunday, LSU mounted an impressive comeback against Alabama State, overcoming a double-digit deficit to secure a 74-61 victory. The turnaround was spearheaded by Cam Carter and Jordan Sears, who each contributed 18 points during the second half, which included a 34-11 scoring spree.

Carter, who transferred from Kansas State, excelled beyond the arc, sinking 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point range and finishing the game with a total of 21 points. Meanwhile, Sears had a rocky start, going scoreless in the first half with 0-for-4 shooting, but rebounded magnificently by netting 9 of 11 from the free-throw line and adding five assists and two steals. Dji Bailey, also a transfer from Richmond, supported the Tigers with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

For Alabama State, Antonio ‘TJ’ Madlock was the standout performer, scoring 21 points, while Amarr Knox chipped in with 20 points and CJ Hines added 13. The Hornets showcased their strength on the boards, out-rebounding LSU 24-15 and delivering a solid 16-8 performance in points scored in the paint during the first half.

LSU struggled initially, hitting only 8 of 25 (32%) from the field, including a mere 3 of 13 (23%) from three-point range and 7 of 14 from the free-throw line in the first half. By halftime, they found themselves trailing 32-26. However, their shooting dramatically improved in the second half, where they converted 11 of 15 attempts from the field to close the game strong.

In the final 12 minutes, Sears’ surge included 15 points while Carter added 11, significantly influencing the game’s momentum. The Tigers managed to bridge a 10-point gap, taking a commanding 72-59 lead when Carter nailed a critical 3-pointer with only 1:22 remaining on the clock.

Daimion Collins provided a highlight with a dunk, followed by a steal from Sears, leading to a fast-break basket by Robert Miller III. This sequence capped a 9-0 run, shifting the lead to LSU with 13:16 left in the game. However, Madlock quickly responded with a layup, contributing to a 14-3 run, which once again saw Alabama State forge a 10-point lead as the game reached the 12:30 mark.

This matchup marked the second meeting between the two teams, with LSU having previously bested Alabama State 74-56 last season. In that contest, similarly, the Hornets also held the edge at halftime.