Baker propels Georgia to 73-66 victory over Southeastern Louisiana

Updated Dec. 1, 2023 10:47 p.m. ET

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Will Baker finished with 18 points and seven rebounds to help LSU hold off Southeastern Louisiana 73-66 on Friday night.

Baker followed a three-point play with a 3-pointer to give LSU a 26-22 lead with 8:45 remaining in the first half and the Tigers never trailed again. Baker made 5 of 8 shots with a 3-pointer and 7 of 9 free throws for the Tigers (5-3).

SE Louisiana (2-6), which trailed 39-32 at halftime, battled to within 65-63 on two free throws from Nick Caldwell to cap an 11-1 run with 2:19 left to play. Caldwell missed a go-ahead 3-pointer after an LSU turnover and Baker and Mike Williams III combined for four straight free throws and a two-score lead with 53 seconds remaining. Caldwell buried his next 3-pointer, but Jordan Wright made four free throws in the final 26 seconds to wrap up the win.

Wright came off the bench to sink three 3-pointers, scoring 16 for LSU with four boards and three steals. Williams, a freshman, added 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tyrell Ward had 11 points and blocked two shots.

Caldwell totaled 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lions. Roger McFarlane had 12 points and eight boards, while Roscoe Eastman scored 10 with five assists.

LSU was coming off an 80-57 loss at Syracuse where the Bulldogs made 2 of 22 from beyond the arc. The Tigers sank 8 of 23 against the Lions.

LSU will host Kansas State on Dec. 9. SE Louisiana travels to play Southern on Dec. 9.

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