Vanderbilt basketball loses to LSU, falls to 0-2 in SEC

Vanderbilt basketball played another SEC opponent close after losing by just three to Alabama and two to Memphis, but ultimately fell again to LSU, 77-69, on Tuesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU led by as many as 15 points but the Commodores (5-10, 0-2 SEC) narrowed the deficit late.

Neither team made many 3-point shots, but LSU (10-5, 2-0) found big success in the paint with 44 points.

Vanderbilt spread the ball around more than usual, with five players in double figures: Ezra Manjon, Ven-Allen Lubin, Jason Rivera-Torres, Tyrin Lawrence and Evan Taylor.

Reunited with Jordan Wright

Jordan Wright transferred from Vanderbilt to LSU in the offseason and became the Tigers' leading scorer. Indeed, Wright looked the part. He was second on the team in scoring and did not turn the ball over. He scored 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting.

The Tigers' leading scorer on the night was point guard Jalen Cook, the recently eligible transfer from Tulane. He put up 28.

Lawrence, Manjon banged up

Lawrence and Manjon were both listed as game-time decisions on the pregame injury report with ankle injuries. Both were in the starting lineup.

Lawrence didn't quite seem himself, at least not on the offensive end, as he scored just 11 points but with six rebounds.

Manjon, who suffered his injury partway through Saturday's game against Alabama and did not return, played well, leading the team with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists.

MORE ON TECHNICAL Jerry Stackhouse given technical foul in Vanderbilt basketball vs. LSU

Stackhouse's technical

Jerry Stackhouse was given a technical foul with 16:22 left in the second half. LSU led 39-32 at the time, but from the point Wright made both his free throws, the Tigers took over the game, including an 8-0 run shortly after the technical.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball falls to 0-2 in SEC with loss to LSU