LSU defeats pesky Yale, 79-74

It wasn't pretty at times but LSU's talent, size and athleticism outlasted the Yale Bulldogs, 79-74.  

The No. 3 seeded Tigers held off a late surge of three-point shots from Yale to adance to the second round of the NCAA tournament.  The win was LSU’s first NCAA tournament win since 2009 and they now awai the winner of No.6 seed Maryland (22-10) and No. 11 Belmont (26-5).  Game time for that one will be announced later on Thursday.

"(Yale) is a really good ballclub," said LSU interim coach Tony Benford. "I give my guys credit. We've battled through adversity all year. I'm really proud of our guys.”

Despite Yale making the game close at the end with some three-point shots, they were abysmal on the day from behind the arc as they only made 9 of 38 attempts.

"This was huge," said Benford. "I think everybody was picking us to lose this one, but these guys really believed in one another."

LSU guard Skyler Mays praised the play of Marlon Taylor in the Tigers win as he held Miye Oni to only 5 points while his season average was 18. 

"I feel like the player of the game was Marlon Taylor," said Mays. "His defense on (Oni), he's an unbelievable player and Marlon did a tremendous job on him."

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