Tremont Waters scored 21 points and set up the go-ahead basket with a spectacular no-look assist, helping LSU rally for a 77-75 victory in the Maui Invitational on Monday night.
LSU (3-0) trailed by nine with about 5 minutes left, but chipped away at the lead to get within reach. Waters tied it with a step-back jumper, then stole the ball, dove to the floor and, in one motion, threw it backward over his head to Skylar Mays for a dunk and a 76-74 lead with 1:14 left.
Waters hit 1 of 2 free throws with 5.8 seconds after Michigan's Charles Matthews went 1 for 2 at the line, giving the Wolverines (3-1) a final chance. Matthews, who had 28 points, got a shot from the wing off, but it came up short.
Aaron Epps had 14 points for the Tigers, who move on to face No. 13 Notre Dame in Tuesday's semifinals.
Moritz Wagner had 24 points for Michigan.
LSU and Michigan are in rebuilding years, the Tigers after Will Wade replaced Johnny Jones, the Wolverines after losing a trio of stars.
LSU opened the season with a pair of walkover victories against Alcorn State and Samford. Michigan had a pair of lopsided wins sandwiched around a tight victory over Central Michigan.
The Tigers struggled defensively a year ago under Jones, but were more active early in their Maui opener, harassing the Wolverines into difficult shots.
Wagner and Matthews were able to find some holes in LSU's defense, helping the Wolverines to keep it close in the first half.
The Tigers shot well — 12 for 22 — but struggled holding onto the ball, turning it over 11 times. LSU led 31-29 at halftime on a buzzer-beating finger roll by Mays.
Once the tight first half ended, the second turned into an offensive show, with the Tigers and Wolverines trading made baskets nearly every trip.
LSU's Brandon Sampson had a thunderous dunk over a defender and Waters followed with a power-spinning, how-did-he-do-that layup as he was falling to the floor.
Wagner and Matthews kept dropping in jump shots for Michigan to stay close.
LSU went up seven, but Michigan went on a 10-0 run to go up 58-53. Michigan tried to run away with it, but the Tigers kept hanging around, pulling within 73-72 on Epps' 3-pointer with 2 minutes left to set up Waters' final flourish.
THE TAKEAWAY
LSU showed a lot of determination for a young team, rallying late against a solid Michigan team when it could have folded.
The Wolverines had a trip to the semifinals in their grasp, but didn't make enough plays down the stretch.
UP NEXT
LSU faces No. 13 Notre Dame in Tuesday's semifinals
Michigan plays Chaminade in the loser's bracket on Tuesday.
