by Ryan Rogers
LSU Sports Information
BATON ROUGE — Excellent guard play from Kisha James and Marie Ferdinand combined with consistent transition baskets lifted LSU to a 92-52 victory over Sam Houston St.
Kisha James provided 24 points, three steals, and three assist. Meanwhile, fellow backcourt teammate Marie Ferdinand shined again scoring 24 points, adding five rebounds and seven assists.
LSU ran down Sam Houston with a fast-paced transition game. Defensively, the Lady Tigers continued to excel with their half-court press defense that worked so well in the New Mexico tournament. LSU forced 19 turnovers in the game.
LSU shot 55.1 percent from the floor to Sam Houston St’s 28.6 percent. LSU out-rebounded Sam Houston St. 45-43.
The Lady Tigers got off to a quick start against Sam Houston by scoring points in the transition game. LSU used its advantage in quickness to out-run Sam Houston State down the court. The Lady Tigers opened up the game with a 27-4 run.
Kisha James sparked the Tigers with two steals. She picked Mandy Frazer’s pocket and glided down the court for an easy basket. LSU jumped all over Sam Houston St. 20-4 with 11:42 remaining in the first half. James’ second steal came on the next Sam Houston St. possession.
The Lady Tiger offense looked sharp as they moved the ball around well, which often led to finding wide open teammates for easy baskets.
Sam Houston St. kept themselves in the game momentarily by rebounding offensively. Brenda Abakwue grabbed four first-half offensive rebounds. Abakwue and Stacey Allen each scored baskets inside off of offensive rebounds. LSU led 31-11 with 6:42 remaining in the first-half.
In the second half a hot shooting Kisha James led the Lady Tigers to extend their lead. She hit two three-pointers, penetrated the lane for two more scores and dazzled the crowd with her no look behind the back passes. LSU opened up the second half on a 14-4 run.
A tussle broke out in the second half leading to three player ejections. Angelia Crockett and Alice Johnson were battling for a rebound underneath and it led to aggressive shoving. Both players were ejected. Ke-Ke Tardy was also ejected for her involvement.
By NCAA rules, players ejected for fighting may not participate in the following game. Therefore, Crockett and Tardy will not be eligible to play against Southwest Missouri State in the first game of the Paradise Jam Classic in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on Nov. 24.
Johnston will serve a one-game suspension against Louisiana-Lafayette on Monday.
True freshmen Roneeka Hodges had a double-double scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The win lifts LSU to 2-1 on the season. The Lady Tigers return to action on Nov. 24th when they travel to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Classic where they will face SW Missouri in opening round action.