Ben Simmons has recorded his 20th double-double of the college season to lead Louisiana State University to a 96-91 victory over the Florida Gators.
Australian teenager Simmons had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the victory but it was LSU guard Antonio Blakeney who lit up the court with 32 points, including eight free throws in the final 28 seconds as the Tigers ended a three-match losing streak.
The Tigers came into the game with their chances of reaching the season-ending NCAA tournament in jeopardy after a home loss to Alabama was followed by road losses to Tennessee and an embarrassing 20-point loss to Arkansas.
Simmons was made to deal with some aggressive Florida defence throughout the match as they frequently double-teamed him inside the paint, but the Aussie dealt with it well.
Simmons, has been accused at times this season of not being aggressive enough, tried to allay those fears in his post-game interview.
"I had a mismatch on me and I felt like every time they went to me I had a double team," Simmons said, before adding: "I just want to win, I'm a winner."
Tim Quarterman had 15 points for LSU, who shot 56 per cent and led by as many as 18 in the second half before Florida got as close as one basket in the final 30 seconds.
The Tigers, who led 40-29 at halftime, went up 58-40 on Blakeney's layup as he was fouled by Hill with 13:40 left.
Florida then methodically trimmed their deficit down to five with a three-pointer with one minute to go.
They then continued to send LSU to the foul line and it nearly worked.
While Quarterman missed four of eight free throws in the last 1:05, Florida got hot and cut LSU's lead to 90-88 with 19 seconds left.
But Blakeney made his last six free throws to ice it with the relieved crowd on its feet.
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