2009 NCAA Tournament Results: LSU Holds Off Butler, 75-71

2009 NCAA Tournament Results. Nr 8 seed LSU (27-7) led by Marcus Thorton's 30 points , was able to hold off a late surge by the Butler Bulldogs (26-6) to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The win today marked the first NCAA tourney win by the LSU Tigers since they made the Elite Eight in 2006 sending the late-season surging Butler Bulldogs home early after coming into the game having won four first round NCAA tourney games in a row. The loss marked the third time in the last three seasons that the Bulldogs had been beaten by an SEC team.

2009 NCAA Tournament Results - LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers came into the came picked by many to be upset by the Butler Bulldogs after sagging a bit in the SEC tournament and the end of the regular season. SEC Play of the Year, Marcus Thorta wasn't going to let that happend today however, achieving his seventh 30 point game of the season. He was aided by Tasmin Mitchell who had 14 points and Chris Johnson who chipped in for 12 points and 4 blocked shots. The Tigers had a 13 lead early in the game but almost let it get away at the end holding on to win by four points. On Saturday, they will take on the number 1 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels, who demolished Radford today, 101-58.

2009 NCAA Tournament Results - Butler Bulldogs

Butler lost in the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in six NCAA tournament appearances to a SEC team today. The Bulldogs were led by Matt Howard who scored 22 points with Shelvin Mack chipping in with 18. Butler got to within three points twice in the last minute but were not awble to tie the Tigers to force the game into overtime. The loss today marks the first time that the Horizon Tournament champion lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament since 2000.

Refs:
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=294000032&confId=100
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2086
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=99
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=36182
http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/Mens/NCAA/March_Madness/Final_Four/lsu-breaks-butlers-defense-thwarts-rally
http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/Mens/NCAA/March_Madness/Final_Four/lsu-outlasts-butler-in-greensboro