Mockler Beverage Co.-West has applied for a permit to sell high and low-alcohol content products distributed by the company.
Applicant representatives are listed as Timothy and Patrick Mockler.
The distributor business will operate at 3630 Expansion St., according to the application.
Mockler is headquartered in Baton Rouge, formed by Gary Mockler and his two sons in the mid-1990s.
Gary had partnered for several years with Anheuser-Busch Co. for several years in Southern Beverage Co. before the Mocklers bought out the Busch interest, according to the firm’s website.
Menard coach Jessica Sanders celebrates cutting down the nets after the Lady Eagles’ 64-58 quarterfinal win over Glen Oaks Thursday. (Journal photo by LAMAR GAFFORD)
The schedule for the four Rapides Parish girls basketball teams in the state semifinals of the LHSAA’s Marsh Madness in Hammond:
Menard senior Ellie Juneau looks to pass during the quarterfinals against Glen Oaks Thursday. (Journal photo by LAMAR GAFFORD)
By LAMAR GAFFORD
Same opponent, same outcome.
Just 364 days from clinching its first trip to the LHSAA girls state tournament, Menard won its rematch against No. 11 seed Glen Oaks, 64-58, to return to Hammond.
“We’re excited to go back and to have this opportunity again,” Lady Eagles coach Jessica Sanders said. “It doesn’t feel old, I can tell you that. Winning feels good.”
The Lady Eagles were able to ward off a pesky Lady Panther squad that upset No. 6 seed St. Mary’s of New Orleans and had been battle-tested all season with key free throws from its backcourt of Abigail Atherton, Ellie Juneau and Jamie Sue Bordelon.
Atherton led Menard with 17 points, while sophomore Carly Meynard had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late in the third quarter – causing Lauren Smith to shoulder all the post duties for the rest of the game.
Smith responded well with a double-double of her own with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
“I’ve never been without Carly before, so I got really nervous,” Smith said. “But I knew in my head that as a senior, I just had to step up and that’s what I did.”
Menard (22-11) was tied at 18-18 after one quarter of play, but quickly went on a 13-1 run to start the second and held at 36-28 advantage at the half.
However, with Meynard in foul trouble, Glen Oaks started chipping away at the lead – eventually cutting the deficit down to 54-54 with 3:52 to play.
But Meynard’s hole opened opportunities for Juneau and Bordelon, who had 10 and five, respectively.
Bordelon also recorded a pair of steals as the Lady Panthers never seized the lead.
“I was thinking that this was the most points I’ve ever scored and that I have to make these,” Bordelon said of making a late free throw to put the game out of reach.
Glen Oaks (16-21) was led by junior Taylor Jordan, who had 27 points.
The Lady Eagles will face defending Division III select champion Parkview Baptist in the semifinals.
NORTHWOOD 61, HIGHLAND BAPTIST 27: The Lady Gators are once again heading to Hammond for the fourth straight year after defeating Highland Baptist in the Division IV select quarters. Led by senior point guard Rhianna Battles play on both ends of the court, Northwood is now looking to be the first Rapides Parish girls basketball team to win three straight titles.
OAK HILL 80, ST. JOSEPH’S-PLAUCHVILLE 14: The two-week layoff did not seem to affect Oak Hill in the least bit as it breezed its way back to the state tournament. Even without senior forward Alexis Dyer, Oak Hill jumped out to a 34-0 lead in the first quarter and led 48-4 at halftime. Oak Hill junior Jodie Jowers had a flawless performance with 21 points, six assists and going 10-for-12 from the field.
PLAINVIEW 53, CLAIBORNE CHRISTIAN 49: Death, taxes and Lady Hornets girls basketball going to the state tournament. For the 14th time in the last 15 seasons, Plainview clinched a spot to state after going on the road and upsetting one-loss Claiborne Christian. Lady Crusader star Allie Wainwright scored 27 points but fouled out in the fourth quarter to allow Plainview to take advantage. The Lady Hornets face in-parish rival Oak Hill in the Division V select semifinals.
The Alexandria Police Department responded to a local hospital on Feb. 24 around 8:30 pm in reference to a female suffering from a gunshot wound as a result of domestic violence. The suspect was identified as Letrayvious Brown, 21 of Alexandria, and APD obtained a warrant for Brown for one count of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. The Alexandria Police Department made every effort to locate the suspect but thus far have been unsuccessful.
This is currently an ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.
For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at http://www.p3tips.com/community/
Buckeye senior Blane Parish (3) skies for a dunk against Teurlings Catholic Friday night. (Journal photo by LAMAR GAFFORD)
By LAMAR GAFFORD
DEVILLE – In a season filled with history, the 2023-24 Buckeye boys basketball team added to its resume Friday.
The Panthers got a strong scare from No. 24 seed Teurlings Catholic but held on at the end for a 66-63 win at the Stella Bass Sasser Gym. It was the first playoff win for the Panthers in over 21 years, since full LHSAA brackets only go back to the 2003 postseason.
“That’s a tough ball club,” Buckeye coach Morey Skluzacek said. “We were able to extend the lead a little bit towards the end, but they made a couple of plays and it got physical. However, we made enough plays down the stretch to give us a win.”
Buckeye senior Blane Parish was the driving force in the win with a team-high 21 points and a pair of 3-pointers. In the win, Parish also reached the 1,000-point mark.
“Everybody had a decent or good night,” Parish said. “There’s nothing more you could ask for. It’s just a good team win.”
The Panthers held a slim 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, but a 13-3 run in the second pushed their lead to double digits at halftime (29-19) and the end of the third (45-35).
While the Rebels made a furious rally in the fourth, junior Adam Brodnax helped push the Panthers over the top with 11 of his 20 points coming in the fourth.
“Tonight, I think we showed that we could play with the best,” Brodnax said. “We needed that motivation, because the past few games, we were struggling.”
Buckeye (28-4) barely missed a first-round bye thanks to losing four of six to close the year, but it came out sharp and refreshed.
“We were like, ‘Hey, the playoffs are here and everybody’s 0-0. This is a great opportunity to reset,’” Skluzacek said. “I think we saw that tonight, especially in the first half and third quarter where we had a couple of lulls. I was really proud with how they were able to reset, because it’s been a while since we scored 66 points.”
Teurlings Catholic (14-19) was led by Travis Gallien’s 24 points.
PLAINVIEW 75, CHRIST EPISCOPAL 30: For the second straight season, the Hornets knocked off Christ Episcopal in the regionals of the Division V select playoffs. By finishing its matchup early, Plainview will have a few extra days to prepare for Tuesday’s winner of Rapides and Family Community. Last season, the Mustangs defeated Plainview 77-70 in the quarterfinals.
AUGUSTINE 56, TIOGA 36: The Indians could not overcome St. Augustine’s early hot shooting and fell in the first round of the Division I select playoffs Thursday. A 19-8 Purple Knight run in the fourth doomed Tioga, which had 22 turnovers in the contest. The Indians were led by 12 points from sophomore CJ Thomas.
LSU guard Hailey Van Lith lit up Tennessee for a season-high 26 points Sundy, and made no turnovers, earning praise from coach Kim Mulkey. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 13 LSU’s 12-point halftime lead over Tennessee had dwindled four times in the second half to a single possession.
In one stretch lasting almost 13½ minutes, the Tigers clanked 13 of 16 shots.
It didn’t matter if it was Angel Reese repeatedly missing layups or Mikaylah Williams, Aneesah Morrow or Hailey Van Lith misfiring on mid-range or 3-point jumpers.
The ball wasn’t going in the basket. It appeared the fatigue of playing three games in a week had caught up with LSU.
The Tigers were about to flame out when Van Lith restarted the engines by scoring five points in 17 seconds. She ignited a 15-2 run that propelled LSU to a 75-60 victory over the Lady Vols.
Van Lith, the grad transfer from Louisville, scored her 12 of her LSU career-high 26 points in the Tigers’ saving-the-best-for-last 27-point fourth quarter.
“I could give you at least six reasons that we could have lost the game today,” said LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, whose Tigers (24-4 overall, 11-3 in the SEC) can win outright or clinch a second-place tie in the league with a win at Georgia Thursday.
Well, there was the fact LSU had its worst shooting game of the year against the taller Lady Vols. The Tigers made just 29 of a season-high 88 field goal attempts for a season-low 33 percent.
LSU also missed a season-high 30 layups, making just 12 of 42 from point-blank range. The only reason the Tigers overcame that is they collected a season-best 29 offensive rebounds.
LSU got multiple shots on 15 possessions including 6 shots on 5 offensive rebounds in a 21-second first quarter burst. The Tigers finished with 28 extra shots off offensive rebounds.
Four of LSU’s starters had 7 or more rebounds, topped by Reese with 11 points and 16 rebounds, and Morrow with 8 points and 13 rebounds.
“LSU’s momentum swings can be really, really high,” said Tennessee head coach Kelli Harper, whose team fell to 16-10 overall and 9-5 in the SEC. “They can really jump out on you. They can score a lot of points in a hurry. That’s where they are really good.”
LSU’s saving grace, besides rebounding, was it committed just 7 turnovers, tying a season low. It came on the heels of the Tigers’ season-high tying 22 turnovers in Thursday’s too-close-for-comfort 72-66 home win over Auburn.
In the first half, LSU took the home crowd of 15,281 packing Food City Center out of the game.
Van Lith closed LSU’s 19-16 first quarter with a 3-pointer and opened the Tigers’ 19-10 second quarter that boosted LSU to a 38-26 halftime lead.
Reserve center Aalyah Del Rosario started a 10-0 run in a 5:13 span with a 3-point play. Tennessee missed 11 of its last 13 shots in the quarter.
The Lady Vols, led by Rickea Jackson’s 16 points, re-grouped by outscoring LSU 19-10 in the third quarter. The Tigers missed 14 of 18 shots in the period, including 10 layups.
Trudging back to the huddle before the start of the fourth quarter, awaiting the Tigers was an encouraging coaching staff.
“Our coaches do a really good job of making them (the players) get that sourpuss look off their face,” Mulkey said. “You just tell them we still have the lead at the end of the third quarter. Let’s go ball. This is what you want. This will make us better.”
In the final quarter, Van Lith stepped up for the Tigers. She scored 12 points and Bossier City freshman Williams (who finished Sunday with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists), Flau’jae Johnson and Reese combined for the other 17.
“She (Van Lith) was taking a lot of criticism, and it needs to stop,” Mulkey said. “She had zero turnovers (vs. Tennessee) in almost 37 minutes of play. “She hit big shots in the game when we needed a shot the most. She handled the ball the last couple of minutes when we used up the clock.”
Johnson, who didn’t practice Saturday because she was sick, had 5 points and 4 rebounds in the final period. It capped a day in which she had 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in 36 minutes.
“We didn’t even know if Flau’jae was going to play,” Mulkey said. “We left at 8 a.m. yesterday, she got on the plane and said she was sick. I don’t even know what her symptoms were. I saw her at breakfast this morning. The trainer said, `Can you go or not?’ Of course, she said she felt great. When you’re a baller, you don’t want the coach to know you really don’t feel good.”
This past week has been a very positive week at Carter C. Raymond Junior High School in Lecompte.
Tuesday was the ribbon cutting for the new Star Academy. To say the event was a great success is indeed an understatement. Dr. Jill Summers, faculty, and staff have much to be proud of.
On Saturday, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church and the Western Diocese of Louisiana helped put on a “Book Fair” for Carter Raymond at the school.
Paulley Rabalais, the librarian at Carter Raymond, was just amazing to work with. Nancy Rials, a former librarian, English teacher, and principal (2008 State of Louisiana Elementary and Junior High “Principal of the Year”) and Paulley chose the books to be given to the students. Thanks to Dr. Cooper for checking on us and making sure everything was okay. She did this five times during the day! It was really helpful and assuring.
The students were just so well behaved and seemed to really enjoy what was planned for them. Everyone worked very hard and felt so good at the end of the day with everything that had been accomplished.
Dorothy Carnal and Marilyn Jackson were on hand to do anything that had to be done to make this such a success. Finally, thank you so much Principal Dr. Summers. The positive learning atmosphere you have nurtured at Carter C. Raymond is so refreshing.
Sue Shipman June 10, 1946 – February 17, 2024 Service: Monday, February 26, 2024, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.
Tracy Denice Norris July 10, 1966 – February 21, 2024 Service: Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11am at New Scott Olly Baptist Church, Alexandria.
Col. Fay D. Parker, USAF (Ret) April 14, 1928 – February 10, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 11am at Hixson Brothers Alexandria.
Perry Dean Lockwood March 18, 1940 – February 20, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 9, 2024, 11am at New Scott Olly Baptist Church, Alexandria.
Fay Day January 3, 1942 – February 24, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 1pm at St. Rita Catholic Church, Alexandra.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Buckeye High coach Ben McLaughlin, highly accomplished as a Louisiana Christian player and later as a Wildcats’ assistant coach, was introduced as the new LCU football coach Thursday. (Photo courtesy LCU Athletics)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Early this year, Buckeye football coach Ben McLaughlin turned down the chance to take over as the head coach at Class 5A Captain Shreve High School. Relocating to Shreveport blunted the appeal of moving into the state’s highest prep classification.
This week, there was no relocation necessary. Monday, the door to McLaughlin’s “dream job” opened and he was figuratively moving into his new office right away, thrilling, not disrupting his wife of 14 years, Meagan, and their two young daughters.
When at the start of the week Louisiana Christian announced the departure of transformational four-year head coach Drew Maddox to an assistant’s position at NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri, the Wildcats already had their sights set on bringing McLaughlin back to campus, where he was one of the school’s greatest players and a highly-regarded assistant coach.
University president Dr. Rick Brewer and athletics director Reni Mason were gleaming Thursday morning as they introduced McLaughlin as LCU’s new football boss.
After Mason told him Maddox was moving north, Brewer said he immediately focused on McLaughlin.
“When Coach Mason came to me Monday and said, ‘Doc, what do you think about Ben? In less than a heartbeat, I said ‘yeah!’ … Not only does he know football, not only is he very intelligent, but he knows and loves Jesus with all of his heart and soul, mind and strength,” said Brewer.
Said Mason: “I had a chance to visit with ‘Coach Mac’ over the last 4-5 days and we have talked about several things, not just the success of the football program, but the continuation of this institution and how it thrives. One word exemplifies Ben, and that’s ‘humility.’ I’ve watched him give of himself on so many fronts.
“So when Drew and I were having conversation that (his departure) could possibly take place, (McLaughlin) was the first guy I thought of. His character is unmatched for young people in how he helps them understand who they are and what they are,” said Mason. “The ability to draw the best from the least – it’s who he is, and so we’re grateful to have him here. We’re fortunate. I probably fielded 50 calls since Drew made the announcement, and there were some big names among them, but nobody fits this place the way Ben McLaughlin does.”
“I feel like God put me right here because I’m the best fit for this university,” McLaughlin said. “I am a direct product of what this college can do. When I came here in 2006 as an 18-year-old boy who knew nothing, I had some of my absolute best moments of my life and some of my worst. This college helped me have a platform for some of those awesome moments, and this college helped guide me through those lowest ones. Nobody cares about this place and Louisiana Christian University football any more than me.
“This is my dream job,” McLaughlin said a couple of times in his first remarks as head coach of his alma mater. “My number one priority is to develop these young men …. We’re going to win a lot of football games, because that is the byproduct of doing things the right way.
“Looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m glad I’m here at the absolute best place in the world, and I plan on being here for a really long time.”
McLaughlin’s record-shattering playing career with the Wildcats led him immediately into a role as running backs coach under Dennis Dunn at LC during the 2011-12 seasons. At Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 2013-15, he coached quarterbacks and was offensive coordinator in his last two seasons.
It was back to Pineville and the Wildcats’ staff from 2016-18 as OC and QB coach on the staff of Justin Charles.
Next, he moved across the Red River to the offensive coordinator’s post at Alexandria Senior High School, where the explosive Trojans were edged 35-34 in the 2020 Class 5A state championship game. For the past two seasons, McLaughlin has steered a rising Buckeye program.
One of LCU’s most decorated male athletes, McLaughlin was the most prolific passer in school and American Southwest Conference history. He was enshrined in the university’s athletic hall of fame in 2015.
The 2010 ASC Male Athlete of the Year and a finalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy (the NCAA Division III equivalent of the Heisman), McLaughlin finished his career as the ASC’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,055) as well as passing touchdowns (111).
During his four years at quarterback for the Wildcats, McLaughlin was also named the 2006 ASC Freshman of the Year, the 2009 and 2010 ASC Offensive Player of the Year, the 2010 LSWA All-Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year, and a 2010 Associated Press Little All-American.
While beginning his coaching career, he remained active as a player, and captured a gold medal with the USA National Football Team in 2011, and played professionally for the Louisiana Swashbucklers of the Southern Indoor Football League.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Inland Fisheries biologists deployed a total of 100 Christmas trees at 13 locations throughout Cotile Lake in Rapides Parish on February 7.
The reefs are held in place by concrete anchors and will serve as desirable protective cover for young fish. In addition to providing protective cover for young fish, the reefs attract adult bass and crappie, providing convenient areas for anglers to target some of their fishing efforts.
The Christmas trees for this project were donated by area Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Pineville, Opelousas, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria.
The reefs are not marked. Anglers can use the coordinates below to locate the reefs:
Reef 1
31.330350°
-92.738067°
Reef 2
31.323083°
-92.737433°
Reef 3
31.314633°
-92.73685°
Reef 4
31.31435°
-92.735933°
Reef 5: Cotile Fishing Pier
31.330108°
-92.727257°
Reef 6
31.30675°
-92.733183°
Reef 7
31.306767°
-92.733083°
Reef 8
31.325467°
-92.734083°
Reef 9
31.3299°
-92.738833°
Reef 10
31.334350°
-92.723800°
Reef 11
31.334317°
-92.723900°
Reef 12
31.313917°
-92.734417°
Reef 13
31.314817°
-92.7355°
To view the location of other public freshwater artificial reefs throughout the state, visit the Louisiana Outdoor Explorer, click on the “Get on the Water” tab, and then select “Freshwater Artificial Reefs” under the layer list.
For questions regarding Cotile Lake, please contact LDWF Inland Fisheries Biologist Manager Shelby Richard at (318) 487-5352 or srichard@wlf.la.gov.
Joemarko James, released on bond February 17 on charges of illegally possessing a firearm, was booked February 21 for allegedly using one.
James, 38, of Alexandria is accused of seven counts of attempted 2nd degree murder and held under $5 million bail.
Authorities through Thursday evening had provided no details. The booking record indicates the alleged murder attempts occurred about 10:30 a.m.
James was under bond from an August 2023 charge of possessing a stolen firearm and being a convicted felon with gun when booked February 13 on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and obstructing justice by tampering with evidence.
He posted $150,000 bond on that charge Saturday.
In the ensuing four days James, if allegations are correct, came up with another firearm.
Homicide charges are not new to James.
He was accused of 2nd degree murder in an October 2016 shooting on Levin Street. He also had charges of attempted murder in the same incident.
Kelsey Broussard, bonded out on February 7, was back in the parish jail on felony drug charges Tuesday. She bonded out Wednesday.
Broussard, 27, of Alexandria is charged with possession, paraphernalia, theft and criminal damage. Bail was set at $4,000.
On February 3 she was arrested about 2:30 am, accused of possession, paraphernalia and of having Controlled Dangerous Substance in the presence of a person under 17, posting $8,000 bond four days later.
In November 2019 Broussard was allegedly driving a vehicle that ran off Twin Bridges Road at Castor Plunge Road and rolled down an embankment.
A female passenger, unrestrained according to police, was killed.
A toddler, property restrained, suffered minor injuries, authorities said.
Broussard on January 30, 2020 was booked on a negligent homicide charge. She posted $25,000 bond two hours later.
ANGEL HAD THE ANGLES: LSU’s Angel Reese had another huge night with 25 points and 20 rebounds as the Tigers fought past upset-minded Auburn. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – No. 13 LSU had to grind and claw and practically crawl across the finish line Thursday night.
Despite a fourth quarter in which the Tigers had 8 turnovers and missed 8 shots in 24 possessions, they exhaled deeply when the game-ending horn proclaimed a 71-66 victory over Auburn.
LSU’s Angel Reese’s 25 points and 20 rebounds offset a career-high 28 points by Auburn’s Honesty Scott Grayson.
The victory gave LSU (23-4 overall, 10-3 SEC) revenge for its Jan. 14 67-62 loss at Auburn.
“It was tough, it was personal because we lost the first time to them,” Reese said. “I did a better job of keeping the team together than I did the last time we played them. I just kept attacking the basket and getting as many rebounds as I could. We just had to stay poised.”
LSU recorded its fifth consecutive win since its two-game losing streak to No. 1 South Carolina and unranked Mississippi State. But Auburn (16-10, 5-8 SEC) pushed the home team Tigers all the way to the end.
“We tried really hard to give away the game in the last four minutes, and it starts with me,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said. “I didn’t do a very good job as a head coach the last four minutes.”
LSU had as many turnovers – 23 – as it did made free throws.
Both teams drew an offensive line of demarcation from the opening tip and rarely wandered away from it.
Eighteen of LSU’s 23 made field goals were layups. Mulkey’s squad attempted just 5 3-pointers and made 2, buzzer-beating treys by Hailey Van Lith and Flau’jae Johnson to close the first and second quarters.
Nineteen of Auburn’s 24 made field goals were 12 mid-range jumpers and 7 3-pointers.
Scott-Grayson, who spent the 2018-19 season playing as a true freshman for Mulkey when she coached Baylor, swished a career-best five 3-pointers.
LSU led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter in which both teams had 8-0 runs. Few baskets came easy. Defense from both teams was smothering and physical.
Reese twice got thrown to the floor by Aubun’s hefty 6-4 freshman center Savannah Scott.
Offensive game plans quickly emerged. Six of Auburn’s seven first-quarter field goals were mid-range jumper or 3-pointers. Six of LSU’s eight first-quarter baskets were layups.
The game grew even more physical in the second quarter.
But LSU evened up things more when feisty reserve point guard Last Tear-Poa and 6-6 reserve freshman center Aalyah Del Rosario were on the floor together for the final 3:05 of the period.
That’s when LSU went on a 12-0 run to close the half with a 40-30 lead capped by Johnson’s 3-pointer in front of the Auburn bench just before the game clock clicked to zero.
Del Rosario scored 6 points, grabbed a rebound and blocked one shot in the closing burst. Tear-Poa scored a basket, had a steal and was the figurehead of an LSU defense that forced Auburn to miss its final four shots of the half.
The officiating crew of Roy Gulbeyan, Felicia Grinter and Cameron Inouye spent most of the first half focused on calling 3-second lane violations while turning a blind eye to the street fights under the goal on both ends of the floor.
In the second half, the officials decided they were going to get control of the game and began whistling fouls for the plays they swallowed their whistles on in the first half.
LSU (6 of 8) and Auburn (3-3) made 9 of 11 free throws in the first half combined. In the second half, it jumped to a combined 25 of 32 free throws (LSU 17 of 19, Auburn 8 of 13).
LSU saw a 12-point lead shrink to 48-46 with 4:13 left before 6-0 LSU rally in the last 2:27 gave the home team a 58-49 lead exiting the third quarter.
“It’s hard to believe that team (Auburn) has won only five (SEC) games,” Mulkey said. “I don’t know if Auburn plays every team in the league the way they played us.
“We were working hard out there. We were trying our best. They just get after us.”
LSU has another revenge game on the docket next. It travels to Tennessee for an 11 a.m. CT game on Sunday. The Vols beat the Tigers in last season’s SEC tournament, the second and last loss for LSU as it went on to win six straight NCAA tourney games and the national championship.
