(W1) LSU 67, (E4) Kentucky 58
No. W1 LSU successfully shut down No. E4 Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks, holding the junior guard to only eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, to help propel the Tigers into the semifinals with a 67-58 win. Meeks leads the SEC with 24.7 points per game. Senior guard Marcus Thornton led LSU with 21 points, and junior forward Tasmin Mitchell contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. The loss might doom Kentucky’s hopes of extending its run of 17 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
(W3) Mississippi State 82, (E2) South Carolina 68
No. W3 Mississippi State dominated the paint and second half against No. E2 South Carolina to win 82-68. The Bulldogs outscored South Carolina by 18 after the break. They also grabbed 47 rebounds to South Carolina’s 31. Junior guard Barry Stewart led Mississippi State with 21 points. The Bulldogs will play LSU, which they lost to twice in the regular season.
(E1) Tennessee 86, (W4) Alabama 62
No. E1 Tennessee routed No. W4 Alabama 86-62 to advance to the SEC semifinals. Tyler Smith led the Volunteers with 22 points and six rebounds, and J.P. Prince had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Volunteers will play Auburn next.
(W2) Auburn 61, (E3) Florida 58
No. W2 Abuurn won 61-58 against No. E3 Florida in what might prove to be a bubble elimination game. Korvotney Barber’s dunk in the final minute helped Auburn advance into the semifinals. He finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Tigers.
