LSU’s last game in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during a trying season didn’t end the way it preferred.

Despite a valiant effort on senior night, the Tigers suffered a 94-91 triple overtime loss to Texas A&M on Saturday at the PMAC. The losing result in the regular-season finale solidified LSU’s last-place position in the Southeastern Conference standings for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

Before coach Matt McMahon answered a question on why he should remain the leader of a program that is almost certainly missing the NCAA Tournament, the opposing coach entered the press conference room.

Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillian delivered an opening statement that focused primarily on the opponent his team outlasted after 55 minutes of game action.

“I couldn’t live if we went to the fourth overtime,” he said tongue-in-cheek after LSU missed a game-tying 3-pointer to extend the game further.

The Aggies, who are the No. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament, came out victorious due to their frenetic style of forcing turnovers from constant full-court pressure. LSU had a season-high 22 turnovers compared to its opponent’s 10.

McMillan said that the discrepancy in turnovers, along with his team’s 18 offensive rebounds, were the reasons it overcame poor field goal shooting (37%). The first-year coach said that his team’s earned win came against a Tigers group that could have had a much different record had it not been for a key injury.

“I told coach McMahon I’ve watched them play all year long,” McMillan said. “They have been in these spots, in the close game, where their record could be totally different. I really felt if their point guard (Dedan Thoams) did not get hurt … they were a top-25 team. I think they could be right there with anybody in the league. I feel really bad for LSU because of that. All these close games, three or four points. I knew they (were) a good team. We have lost one of our main guys, too. Losing a point guard like that is such a detrimental loss.”

The reality LSU exists in is one where it will play in a single-elimination conference tournament without its top guard from the transfer portal. The Tigers will be expected to lose early. With a loss, the season is likely over, unless it’s given and accepts an NIT bid. It could also mean the end of McMahon’s tenure after missing the NCAA Tournament in all four years.

The former Murray State coach answered a question on why the athletic department should allow him to remain for the following season.

“I’m 47, this is my 30th season in college basketball,” McMahon said. “I’ve just been incredibly blessed. Have absolutely nothing but gratitude, appreciation for this opportunity. With the 30 years of experience, I also understand what comes with the job from an expectation standpoint. And I share in the disappointment and frustration that we haven’t gotten the results we wanted this last two months. That’s my responsibility. With that said, I absolutely love LSU. I love our core group that returns next year. I think we have great administration and leadership team here at LSU. And so clearly, I’ll respect whatever decisions they make moving forward. But, you know, I love the opportunity, and for me, I think it’s just critical that we keep our focus on preparing our players and our team for the opportunity next week in Nashville at the SEC tournament.”

LSU’s first-round matchup in the conference tournament is against No. 9 seed Kentucky at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. In the first meeting on Jan. 14, LSU lost 75-74 at home on a game-winning jumpshot as time expired.