BATON ROUGE — LSU’s Sylvia Fowles scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the first half, as the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers defeated McNeese State, 83-28, on a rare Wednesday afternoon game at the Maravich Center.
LSU (12-1) never trailed in the contest and used a 13-0 run to end the half to claim a solid 38-9 lead at the break.
The Lady Tigers’ largest lead of the game, a 79-23 margin, came at the 3:10 mark of the second half.
McNeese State (2-9) shot only 21.4 percent from the field (9 of 42) and committed 29 turnovers.
“Overall, I thought it was a good performance,” LSU head coach Pokey Chatman said. “We had an opportunity to play several players for some significant minutes and there wasn’t a drop off.
Fowles was perfect from the field (7 of 7) and added nine rebounds in 21 minutes to lead the Lady Tigers, while Quianna Chaney added 14 points and five rebounds.
Guard Allison Hightower started for the first time for LSU, scoring nine points on 4-of-10 shooting. Reserves Katie Antony and Khalilah Mitchell each scored eight points, as the Lady Tigers’ bench scored 35.
“I thought we stuck to the game plan in terms of executing against the zone and man-to-man defense,” Chatman added. “In particular, I thought Sylvia Fowles came out and established herself, especially on offense. She wanted the basketball and knocked down her free throws. It was nice to see Quianna Chaney continue her hot hand shooting the ball and see Allison Hightower do a good job stepping into a starting roll.”
LSU also made 20 of 28 free throws and out-rebounded the Cowgirls, 45-28.
In the first half, the Lady Tigers took control early and never trailed. McNeese State was held to only nine points, the fewest by an LSU opponent in a half since Alabama State managed nine points in the second half of a Dec. 7, 2002, contest.
The Cowgirls made only 3 of 21 first-half shots and committed 15 turnovers.
The Lady Tigers have now held opponents to 20 points or fewer in 12 of 26 halves this season.
The second half was more of the same, as LSU made three three-pointers and outscored the Cowgirls, 45-19.
LSU point guard Erica White did not play after a one-game suspension for behavior not in line with Lady Tigers basketball.
The Lady Tigers return to action after the holiday break when they face Louisiana Tech in the Katrina Relief Basketball Classic on Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. in the New Orleans Arena.
All proceeds from the game benefit LSU Operation Rebound’s two charities: Habitat for Humanity of New Orleans and Friends of NORD.
GAME NOTES
– Allison Hightower started for the first time in her career.
– Sylvia Fowles reached the 20-point plateau for the 19th time in her career and scored in double figures for the 67th time. She has now scored at least 20 points in three of the last four games.
– LSU held McNeese State to just nine points in the first half, tying the school record for fewest points allowed in a half. Alabama State scored nine points in the second half of a 65-19 LSU victory on Dec. 7, 2002.
– LSU has held its opponents to 20 or fewer points in 12 of the 26 halves of basketball this season, including the nine points in the first half today.
– The Lady Tigers have now won 28 straight games in the month of December.
– LSU extended its nation’s best home court win streak to 38 straight games. The Lady Tigers have also won 41 straight non-conference home games.
– Today’s game was the 350th consecutive broadcast of a LSU women’s basketball game for Patrick Wright, the longtime voice of the program.
LSU HEAD COACH POKEY CHATMAN
Opening statement…
“Overall, I thought it was a good performance. We had an opportunity to play several players for some significant minutes and there wasn’t a drop off. I thought we stuck to the game plan in terms of executing against the zone and man-to-man defense. In particular, I thought Sylvia Fowles came out and established herself, especially on offense. She wanted the basketball and knocked down her free throws. It was nice to see Quianna Chaney continue her hot hand shooting the ball. It was nice to see Allison Hightower do a good job stepping into a starting roll.”
On if she felt the team executed the way she wanted on offense…
“I think they did. I say that because of the number of combinations of players we ran. I even played Ashley Thomas at the three spot. That is not something that Ashley has had a lot of experience with in a game setting. We didn’t play her at the three spot against Ohio State or Michigan State. For them to come out there and allow me to run so many combinations, it worked well.”
LSU Player Quotes
On her increased shooting…
“I have increased a little from the Michigan State game. But I credit all my teammates for getting me the ball when I’m open so I can make the plays.”
On the game as a whole…
“The first half was really sloppy. We came out like we hadn’t been practicing. But the second half we came out and brought it like we did for Michigan State.”
On Coach Chatman’s view of the game…
“I wouldn’t say she was dissatisfied but we know what we did and we fixed it. For the first ten minutes we came out a little sluggish but we picked it up from then on.”
MCNEESE HEAD COACH CAROL SENSLEY
Opening statement…
“LSU is just a very talented team and we wish them well. We have been battling and struggling trying to get people to step it up. Right now we are a young team and we are going to keep trying to improve.”
On what LSU’s main strength is…
“They have a lot of weapons. They are a very athletic team with weapons on the inside and outside. They are a very well-balanced team that always plays hard. We wish them well and will be following them throughout the season.”