Ben Simmons has big game at Barclays Center, but LSU falls to Marquette late
LSU forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts during the second half of the Legends Classic semifinal against Marquette in an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, in New York. Credit: AP / Kathy Willens
LSU freshman Ben Simmons lived up to his billing as the next big thing in college basketball with a scintillating performance as he had 21 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists Monday night at Barclays Center.
But with the opening game of the Legends Classic on the line, Simmons passed to the open man rather than take the shot himself at the buzzer. Jalyn Patterson missed, and Marquette won, 81-80.
The Golden Eagles will meet Arizona State for the tourney title Tuesday night. Savon Goodman had 21 points and 16 rebounds in the Sun Devils' 79-76 victory over North Carolina State in the other semifinal.
But make no mistake, the real attraction was the New York debut of Simmons.
Marquette's inside duo of Henry Ellenson (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Luke Fischer (19, eight) dominated in the paint and under the boards to build a 10-point second-half lead.
The super-quick Tigers went to a full-court press that produced a 14-4 run and took an 80-79 lead when the lefthanded Simmons did a fly-by across the lane and flipped a righthanded shot off the glass and in with 21 seconds left.
Marquette regained the lead on two foul shots by Jajuan Johnson with 11 seconds to go, setting the stage for the final play. Simmons had the ball to the left of the key, and Ellenson was out of the game after recording his fifth foul. But rather than drive and try to get his shot or draw the foul, Simmons found Patterson, who missed an open three.
"They did a great job on defense of making sure I couldn't get to the rim," Simmons said. "I got it to Jalyn. I trusted him. He hit a shot to win the national [prep school] championship when I was at Monteverde [Academy in Florida]."
Many saw the game as a duel between Simmons and Ellenson, but the LSU freshman said, "This was just another game to me. It's a good lesson for the team. For us, it's just a learning curve."
Simmons faulted himself for poor interior defense, but he really was a force at both ends. He played all 40 minutes.
"We know the potential and how good Ben is," LSU coach Johnny Jones said. "We can't ask him to put up those numbers night in and night out, but he was forced to tonight."
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
