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BOX SCORE
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- John Brady's rebuilding project at LSU is
going better than planned, thanks to an NBA-caliber sophomore and a
gangly junior who has a way of delivering when the Tigers need him
most.
Stromile Swift had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Brian Beshara
came up with a big steal with just over a minute to play as LSU
beat Texas 72-67 on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA West
Regional.
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Sat, March 18
LSU proved it can play at both ends of the court with its defensive effort against Texas.
The Tigers came up with two critical defensive plays in the final few possessions. Stromile Swift had a key block on Texas' Chris Mihm. A possession later, Brian Beshara (the hero of the first-round win over Southeast Missouri State) came up with a key steal.
The Tigers were more active defensively than the Longhorns, which is a chore, considering Texas prides itself on its defense. LSU's offense has never been in question, but its defense on the perimeter and inside wasn't as sharp in the first round.
The defensive activity of Swift, Beshara and Jabari Smith gives the Tigers a legitimate shot to continue this
run and get to the Elite Eight.
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Torris Bright and Jabari Smith scored 11 points each for LSU,
which will face Wisconsin on Thursday in the regional semifinals in
Albuquerque, N.M. The eighth-seeded Badgers stunned top-seeded Arizona
66-59.
"There's not a better story in college basketball this year
than LSU," Brady said. "Now, maybe nationally, people will
recognize what we've been through and what these young people have
done."
It was tied at 60 at the three-minute mark, but the
fourth-seeded Tigers (28-5) scored the next six points to seize
control.
Bright split the Texas defense for a layup, Swift scored over
Texas' Gabe Muoneke, and Beshara made two big free throws after
intercepting a pass in the Longhorns' backcourt.
"I saw they threw a bounce pass, and it gave me an extra second
to get over," Beshara said. "Then I knew if I hit those shots, it
would be a two-possession game. I knew I couldn't let my teammates
down."
Ivan Wagner led fifth-seeded Texas (24-9) with 19 points,
hitting 5-of-7 from 3-point range. The Longhorns also got 11 points
each from Muoneke and All-American center Chris Mihm, who had 11
rebounds but committed five turnovers.
One month ago, Brady was hopeful the Tigers could reach the NIT.
Now, they're back in the round of 16 for the first time since 1987
after winning 12 of their last 13 games.
Most schools have 13 scholarships, but Brady only has nine
because of NCAA sanctions imposed in connection with cash payments
to players and other violations during the tenure of former LSU
coach Dale Brown.
"We're not through yet," Brady promised. "We've got some more
things to accomplish."
Wagner pulled the Longhorns within three at 70-67 on a 3-pointer
with 18.4 seconds left, but LSU's Jermaine Williams sealed the
victory by hitting two free throws with 14.6 seconds to go.
|  | | LSU's Brian Beshara passes around the outstretched arm of Texas' Chris Owens. |
Wagner missed a jumper in the closing seconds and the LSU bench
celebrated when, after a scramble, Swift came away with the ball.
At the final buzzer, Swift bounced the ball hard enough to hit the
scoreboard above the court.
"It was a little bit of emotion. I was just happy," said
Swift, an athletic 6-9 forward who has said he plans to return to
Baton Rouge next fall instead of entering the NBA draft.
Swift was the biggest difference for LSU. He made a huge
defensive play with 1:56 left, blocking Mihm's dunk attempt that
would have tied it at 62.
"It's all about timing," Swift said. "He was on the rim,
getting ready to put it down. I think I kind of surprised him. He
didn't see me coming. I was on the other side of the basket."
That play produced cheers throughout the arena and groans on the
Texas bench.
"Getting that shot blocked, they started getting all the loose
balls," Mihm said. "It was frustrating."
The Tigers trailed 34-31 at halftime, but Swift scored 15 points
in the second half. He also almost gave the Longhorns a chance to
win by missing two free throws with 35.7 seconds remaining and LSU
leading 69-64.
Muoneke got open underneath the Texas basket but Lamont Roland
made a steal, then hit one of two free throws with 25.7 seconds
left to make it 70-64.
"The game was there for us and we didn't go get it," Texas
coach Rick Barnes said.
Beshara's steal was bigger, because capped the Tigers'
decisive run. He stepped in front of a bounce pass from Wagner to
William Clay and broke for the LSU basket. He was fouled on a layup
attempt and hit both shots.
On Thursday, Beshara's 3-pointer with 17.8 seconds remaining
lifted the Tigers to a 64-61 victory over Southeast Missouri State.
"My first two years, we didn't even sniff the NCAAs," Beshara
said. "Now that we're here, thank God I've made a few plays to
help us win."
Mihm's grandmother died Tuesday, and he became sick with the flu
after arriving in Salt Lake. He struggled, shooting 5-of-14, and
his five turnovers included a three-second violation and three
traveling calls.
"All those things that have happened the last couple of days
have taken their toll on Chris, but we're not going to make
excuses," Barnes said.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Texas NCAA Team Report
LSU NCAA Team Report
Chat: NCAA Tourney
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