Simmons’ Supporting Cast Leads LSU Past Ole Miss

It wasn't Ben Simmons' best performance against Ole Miss, but the rest of the LSU roster picked up the slack in a 90-81 win at home.

Head Coach Johnny Jones made the decision to bench Antonio Blakeney (15 pts, 3-5 FG, 2-4 3-pt, 7-7 FT) and Tim Quartermann (14 pts, 4-4 FG, 2-2 3-pt, 4-4 FT) , and they combined for 29 of LSU's 35 bench points, which were the main difference in the game. The possible frontrunner for the Wooden Award, Simmons, ended with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

The scoreline doesn't indicate the tight nature of the contest toward the end. Some timely threes form Quarterman and Blakeney expanded the lead down the stretch, and they finished the game at the free throw line.

Ole Miss' main engine was Stefan Moody, who exploded for a career high 33 points (10/18 FG, 6-11 3-pt, 7-9 FT), but LSU's even distribution was too much to overcome.

Five different players broke double-figures for the Tigers, and Craig Victor's 18 point performance in the post next to Ben Simmons is a promising piece to build on heading toward the SEC tournament. One of the most talented recruiting classes in LSU history is starting to click, and this moves them into double-digits (10-6) in wins for the season.

Up next for Simmons and LSU, another home game against Arkansas before hitting the road for a game against ranked Texas A&M.