Recap: L-S-U vs. Arkansas

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Johnny O'Bryant had 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, as the LSU Tigers used a big second half to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks, 70-54, in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Storm Warren added 14 points and seven boards for the eighth-seeded Tigers (18-13), who posted a win in this tournament for the first time since 2009. Andre Stringer donated 11 points.

Ralston Turner and Justin Hamilton each tallied 10 points for LSU, which now has the unenviable task of facing top-ranked Kentucky in the quarterfinals on Friday.

BJ Young ended with 13 points for the ninth-seeded Razorbacks (18-14), who have suffered four consecutive first-round ousters in as many years in this tournament.

Neither team led by more than five in a tight first half that ended in a 28-28 tie.

The Tigers started the second half on a 10-2 flurry and never looked back. Stringer ignited the spurt with a three-pointer and Anthony Hickey ended it with a layup, giving LSU a 38-30 lead with under 16 minutes to play.

A Young jumper cut the gap to 44-39, but the Tigers scored the next nine points. Turner made a three-pointer during the run, which Stringer capped with two free throws for a 53-39 edge with 7:46 remaining.

LSU outscored Arkansas by a 42-26 margin in the second half.