by Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE — The 10th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team remained undefeated against Mississippi State all-time in the Maravich Assembly Center as it took command of the game 10 minutes into the first half and never looked back, 78-54, on Sunday afternoon.
LSU won its third straight conference game and improved to 5-2 in Southeastern Conference play, 14-5 overall.
Ke-Ke Tardy had a stellar game, as the sophomore forward tied her season high with 20 points and added eight rebounds, three assist and a season-high four blocks.
All-American candidate Marie Ferdinand proved her worth once again scoring 29 points while adding nine rebounds, four assist and three steals. She was 9-of-12 from the free throw line on her way to leading the Lady Tigers in scoring.
Leading scorers for Mississippi State were Thomas with 15 points and Jennifer Fambrough with 11 points. Brown and James both scored 12 points for the Lady Tigers.
The loss for Mississippi State (10-9, 1-7 SEC) compounded their frustrations in Baton Rouge. The Lady Bulldogs have never won against LSU in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (0-15) as LSU improved to 30-4 all-time against the Lady Bulldogs.
After finishing the first half on a 20-6 run, the Lady Tigers improved quickly on a 34-20 halftime lead. April Brown opened up the second half with a three pointer. On the next possession, Tardy rejected Latoya Thomas’s shot. Doneeka Hodges made a nice pass into the post and Tardy scored another easy lay-in. LSU led 39-22 with 18:19 left in the game.
Thomas stole Angelia Crockett pass and drove the ball down the court scoring a tough lay-up. She was fouled on the shot but missed the ensuing free-throw. LSU led 42-33 with 14:06 remaining in the second half.
Tardy, whose inside play dominated the paint for the Lady Tigers, stole a Cynthia Hall pass then made earned an assist with a pass in transition to Brown for a lay-up. LSU led 48-35 with 12:16 left in the game.
Mississippi State pulled within 11 points at 48-37 with 11:41 left in the game.
Ferdinand picked Jessica Carter’s pocket and dished the ball off to Kisha James for a transition basket. LSU led 55-37 with 9:16 left in the game.
James and Ferdinand both scored flashy baskets down the stretch as LSU finished off Mississippi State. James hit an off-balance runner to give LSU a commanding 68-47 lead with 4:40 left in the game.
In the first half, Mississippi State upset LSU’s offensive rhythm early on with a high-pressure man-to-man defense. The Lady Bulldogs took an early 8-5 lead before April Brown pulled LSU out of it’s shooting slump by draining a three pointer to even the game at 8-8 with 15:06 left in the first half.
Ke-Ke Tardy utilized a mismatch down low and scored 10 points inside. Dana Benemon countered with a basket for the Lady Bulldogs and the game was even at 12-12 with 11:26 remaining in the first half.
The game’s tempo picked up and the scoring was back and forth.
After Lyndi Sippel hit a jump shot for Mississippi State, Marie Ferdinand scored a basket in transition. Moments later Roneeka Hodges found Tardy open inside for an easy lay-in and LSU took a 16-14 lead with 9:38 remaining in the first half.
LSU went on a 9-0 run over the next 3:11 on their way to outscoring Mississippi State 20-6 to end the half.
Ferdinand then scored a tough three point play inside, followed by another score in transition and the Lady Tigers took a seven point lead at 21-14 with 7:46 left in the first half.
Tardy scored a basket on a running lay-in and LSU extended its lead to 29-18 with 3:02 remaining in the first half.
The Lady Tigers out rebounded Mississippi State 23-13 in the first half.
Seneca Anderson stole a Doneeka Hodges pass and went coast-to-coast for an easy lay up. The basket cut LSU’s lead to 29-20.
Stacey Newton played a solid game off the bench for the Lady Tigers. Her all-around effort was highlighted by a successful three-point play she converted late in the first half to give LSU a comfortable 34-20 lead at halftime.
Mississippi State shot 3-of-15 from the floor to end the half after starting the game 7-of-13 from the field.
LSU’s next action will be Tuesday night against UL-Lafayette in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at 7 p.m.