Fresno State
LSU
Bulldogs Take Second At Hawaii Pacific Thanksgiving Classic
11/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 28, 1999
By GORDON SAKAMOTO
Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU (AP) - Torris Bright got his points at critical junctures to lead LSU to a 95-85 victory Sunday over Fresno State in the championship game of the Hawaii Pacific Thanksgiving Classic.
Bright's 21 points were overshadowed by the play of teammate Jabari Smith (26 points and 12 rebounds) and the Fresno State duo of Travis Robinson (33 points) and Terrance Roberson (30 points).
But down the stretch, it was Bright who led the Tigers (5-0).
With LSU trying to protect a 3-point lead with 8:26 left, Bright, who had only six points in the first half, dropped in five free throws to extend the lead.
Then, with the Bulldogs (3-2) within four with 2:30 left, Bright countered with a 3-pointer to give the Tigers breathing room. Fresno State narrowed the gap again with 1:38 left, 87-82, Bright again stepped up, this time knocking down another 3-pointer.
He capped his evening with three more free throws to help make it a 10-point game.
Smith and Stromile Swift carried the Tigers' load in the first half. Smith made all four of his shots and added eight free throws for 16 points, while Swift went 6-for-7 for 14 points.
The game was close for the first 10 minutes with the Tigers finally moving ahead at the 12:05 mark with Swift making a basket and knocking down a pair of free throws.
With Smith and Swift anchoring the front line, the Tigers made 28 of 53 shots. Brian Beshara, who scored 14 points, made 5-for-9 shots, Smith 7-for-9 and Swift 7-for-10.
Robinson made 14 of his 23 shots, including 10 of 11 from inside the 3-point line, while Roberson went 9-for-17, six of them 3-pointers.
Fresno State had two more field goals and made nine more 3-points, but the Tigers made 34 of 44 free throws against 11 of 14 for the Bulldogs.
