VANDERBILT 76, LSU 61: Festus Ezeli matched his season high with 21 points and got LSU's entire starting frontcourt in foul trouble as the host Commodores beat the Tigers for the seventh straight time.

The Tigers (13-10, 3-6 SEC) hung around within four points with less than five minutes to go, but a dunk by Ezeli - one of several slams by the Nigerian - and a John Jenkins 3-pointer helped Vanderbilt open a 68-59 lead with 4:03 left. LSU proceeded to fold down the stretch.

Jenkins scored 20 points and Jeffery Taylor added 19 for the Commodores, who attempted 22 of their 23 free throws during the second half.

Justin Hamilton, LSU’s top scorer and rebounder, battled foul woes all night and the Tigers struggled on defense when he wasn’t on the floor. Hamilton managed 10 points and 11 rebounds. Storm Warren’s 13 points paced four LSU players who reached double digits.

GAME NOTEBOOK: LSU started 1 for 12 from 3-point territory but made two during its failed comeback in the second half. … At one point, Ezeli was fouled three times in a span of 1:12. … In an attempt to combat the unusual layout at Memorial Gymnasium, LSU’s bench used cue cards to signal plays to the team when it was on the other end of the court.