| What a finish! The LSU women's basketball team continued its rise by beating Missouri in overtime 87-85 on Thursday night. Khayla Pointer scored with 5.7 seconds left, and Alexis Morris blocked a potential game-tying shot on the other end to seal the game. The Tigers improved to 16-2 overall and 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference with the win over a team that beat No. 1 South Carolina earlier this season. Kim Mulkey asked for patience when she arrived, but it hasn't taken long to make the program exciting — and competitive. Staying on basketball for a moment — it is that time of year, after all — our Sheldon Mickles was in Gainesville for the LSU men's basketball team's win Wednesday at Florida. He followed up with coach Will Wade, who said, "We’re fighters, man, fighters." One of the other major sports at LSU will start preseason practice in two weeks, and baseball coach Jay Johnson spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club about an array of topics. Johnson touched on name, image and likeness — one player offered to return his scholarship because he made so much money — the uncertain pitching staff and his move to Louisiana. "I'm full Louisiana. I survived the hurricane. When I landed, Coach Mainieri made me eat alligator, and so I did that," Johnson said. "I spent a little time in the restroom after that." Lastly, while football season has ended, Brian Kelly and his assistants are in the midst of assembling the roster. Right guard Chasen Hines declared Thursday for the NFL draft as expected, so LSU will have to further address the offensive line. But it found help at other positions. Two more transfers, Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. and Penn State running back Noah Cain, committed to LSU on Thursday night. Both Louisiana natives, they'll finish their careers back in their home state. That's all for now. Please support our work by subscribing to one of our three print editions — The Advocate, The Times-Picayune or the Acadiana Advocate — or online at TheAdvocate.com or NOLA.com. Until next time, The LSU beat team (Scott Rabalais, Sheldon Mickles, Wilson Alexander and Leah Vann) | 