NCAA West: Tigers topple Texas, 72-67

Saturday, March 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALT LAKE CITY -- John Brady's rebuilding project at LSU is going better than planned, thanks to an NBA-caliber sophomore and a gangly junior who has a way of delivering when the Tigers need him most.

Stromile Swift had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Brian Beshara came up with a big steal with just over one minute to play as LSU beat Texas 72-67 on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA West Regional.

Lamont Bright and Jabari Smith scored 11 points each for LSU, which advanced to next week's regional semifinals in Albuquerque, N.M. It was tied at 60 at the three-minute mark, but the fourth-seeded Tigers (28-5) scored the next six points to seize control. Bright split the Texas defense for a layup, Swift scored over Texas' Gabe Muoneke, and Beshara made two big free throws after intercepting a pass in the Longhorns' backcourt.

Ivan Wagner led fifth-seeded Texas (24-9) with 19 points, hitting 5-of-7 from 3-point range. The Longhorns also got 11 points each from Muoneke and All-American center Chris Mihm, who had 11 rebounds but committed five turnovers.

One month ago, Brady was hoped the Tigers could reach the NIT. Now, they're back in the round of 16 for the first time since 1987 after winning 12 of their last 13 games. Wagner pulled the Longhorns within three at 70-67 on a 3-pointer with 18.4 seconds left, but LSU's Jermaine Williams sealed the victory by hitting two free throws with 14.6 seconds to go.

Wagner missed a jumper in the closing seconds and the LSU bench celebrated when the Tigers came away with the ball. Swift, a 6-9 forward who has said he plans to return to Baton Rouge next fall instead of going into the NBA, made the biggest difference for LSU.

Swift made a huge defensive play with 1:56 left, blocking Mihm's dunk attempt that would have tied it at 62. The Tigers trailed 34-31 at halftime, but Swift scored 15 points in the second half. He also almost gave the Longhorns a chance to win by missing two free throws with 55.7 remaining. Muoneke got open underneath the Texas basket but Lamont Roland made a steal, then hit one of two free throws with 25.7 seconds left to make it 70-64.

Beshara's steal was bigger, because it helped the Tigers cap the decisive run. He stepped in front of a bounce pass from Wagner to William Clay and broke for the LSU basket. He was fouled on a layup attempt and hit both free throws. Beshara's 3-pointer with 17.8 seconds remaining was the difference as LSU beat Southeast Missouri State 64-61 in the first round.