Australia's US college basketball sensation Ben Simmons has posted another monster game but it wasn't enough to lead Louisiana State University to victory over the University of Florida.
Simmons had 28 points, 17 rebounds and four assists in Saturday's 68-62 loss in Gainesville.
The defeat stalls LSU's momentum after heading into the game with five wins in their previous six games, including over top 10-ranked University of Kentucky.
They fall to a nine win, six loss record, with conference rival Florida, improving to 10 wins, five losses, considered an important test for LSU and Simmons as they attempt to claw their way back into contention for the NCAA tournament in March.
LSU trailed for most of the game.
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Simmons, the expected number-one pick in June's NBA Draft, almost carried the visitors to victory, scoring the Tigers' last 12 points.
With one minute left the 19-year-old from Melbourne fought for an offensive rebound and was fouled while putting the ball in the basket.
Simmons sank the foul shot to bring LSU to within just one point, 63-62.
Simmons, without the same scoring support he received from team-mates in the Kentucky win, faltered in the final seconds with a travel, an offensive foul and a fifth and final foul that sent him to the bench.
The game, televised live on one of America's most-watched free-to-air networks CBS, would not have hurt Simmons' status as the top player in US college basketball.
It was his 11th double-double of the season, although the teenager made eight turnovers.
LSU will hope to get back on the winning track when they host Ole Miss on Wednesday.
