Shawn Phillips sparks LSU to SEC Tournament win over Georgia

LSU won only two SEC games all season but managed a third in the opening round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday night thanks a strong outing from little-used freshman Shawn Phillips, bouncing Georgia from the event with a 72-67 win.

Phillips scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds in the game.

“Shawn played big-time today, having his first career double-double, especially in the tournament,” LSU big KJ Williams said. “I try to take Shawn under my wing knowing what he can do, great player. I just tried to teach him what I know and he came out and performed tonight.”

The performance helped spark LSU in the second half after Georgia made a big run to overturn a 12-point halftime deficit.

But just when things were looking like they might turn south for the Tigers yet again, Shawn Phillips was there as a backstop, repeatedly coming up with clutch moments to save the day. He had played only 109 minutes all season before seeing 25 in the Georgia win.

“I’m really proud for him. He’s really grown as the season’s gone along,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said on the SEC Network after the game. “He’s not a stiff 7-footer. He can move.

“I thought he was really good in our ball screen offense there in the first half especially. And he just gives you a presence around the rim. I thought he had some big time plays, second chance opportunities. We were all probably a little nervous, he’s at the free throw line there. But he stepped up and knocked them down.”

LSU looking to enjoy SEC Tourney stay

With one win already in the bag, LSU has a chance to really have some fun and make some noise the rest of the way. The Tigers have little to play for, with a resume that won’t be deserving of an NCAA Tournament bid unless LSU wins the whole thing.

So the team can play loose and free.

That was the approach they took on Wednesday against Georgia. Stay loose, have fun, stick together.

“We just stayed together,” Williams said. “I brought my guys in with me knowing it was going to be a tough situation, tough game because credit to Georgia, they’ve got a great team. So we just came out with the mindset to just stay together, stay the course and get the win.”

LSU will take on Vanderbilt in the nightcap on Thursday, tipping off at 9 p.m. ET.

On3’s Peter Warren contributed to this report.