The Auburn men's basketball team's three game winning streak came to an end Saturday in Baton Rouge, La. where the Tigers fell 87-80 against the LSU Tigers.
Despite leading 33-32 at halftime, Auburn (11-10, 3-7 SEC) trailed for the final 18 minutes of the game and was never able to cut the Bayou Bengals'(15-7, 6-4 SEC) lead to any less than five.
Auburn's leading scorer Chris Denson scored 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting while freshman point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen added 16 points.
Auburn hit the boards early to open the game Saturday, grabbing four offensive rebounds in the first six minutes to jump out to a 13-5 lead.
Denson led the way in scoring in the first half as the senior went 9-of-12 from the field on his way to a 19 point half. Denson's layup with 28 seconds left put the Tigers up by one at the break.
The teams traded early baskets to open up the second half, but the Bayou Bengals were able to create separation behind the inside and outside play of Andre Stringer and Johnny O' Bryant III.
Stringer scored 18 points and contributed seven assists for the Tigers while O'Bryant recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Auburn trailed 74-63 with 3:55 remaining in the game, but was able to cut the lead to five after a Shamsid-Deen three pointer.
KT Harrell had an open look at a three pointer that could've brought the Tigers to within two, but his shot went begging.
Harrell had 19 points, including 1-of-6 from three, before fouling out late in the contest. The junior guard has struggled from deep recently, going just 6-of-23 (26%) from deep in the Tigers' last four contests.
Auburn will return to action Wednesday when they welcome the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats (18-5, 8-2 SEC) to the Auburn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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