TAMPA, Fla. ? LSU’s sixth-ranked women’s basketball team overcame a 14-point first half deficit to overtake South Florida, 60-48, on Wednesday night in the Sun Dome.
The Bulls (11-3) opened the game with a 16-2 run over the first eight minutes before the Lady Tigers (14-1) put together a 21-4 run to take a 23-20 lead with 2:40 left in the half.
LSU was then held scoreless in the final 2:40 of the first half, while the USF scored eight straight to take a 28-23 lead at the break.
The teams traded points over the first eight minutes of the second half. LSU then used a 6-0 run to tie the score at 37-37 with 11:10 left.
USF regained the lead on a Porche Grant layup, 41-39, until Erica White, who scored a career-high 22 points, nailed the first of her two three-pointers with 7:54 left to give LSU a 42-41 lead, one they would not surrender.
LSU built up a 53-43 lead before USF cut it to seven with 2:24 left, but White connected on her second three-pointer with 1:16 left to seal the victory.
“I am not at all surprised at the battle that waged this evening,” LSU head coach Pokey Chatman said. “South Florida is a quality basketball team that is used to going up against some of the best in the country. I reminded my team that they have been giant killers. Jose (Fernandez) has done a wonderful job here. We were fortunate to come out of here with a victory.”
Sylvia Fowles added 15 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in the victory. It was the all-American’s 43rd career double double and the eighth of the season.
Quianna Chaney had 10 points for the Lady Tigers, while Ashley Thomas collected nine rebounds and RaShonta LeBlanc had six points, all in the final six minutes of the contest.
Jessica Dickson led USF with 22 points and nine rebounds, but connected on just eight of 28 shots from the floor. Shantia Grace added 14 points on 4-14 from the floor.
LSU’s defense once again proved to be among the best in the nation. The Lady Tigers held USF to 25.4 percent from the floor (17-67) and held the nation’s sixth best scoring offense to just 48 points.
“Being able to hold a high octane offense to 48 points is good, especially when their two leading scorers where held to a combined 12-42.” Chatman said. “It was fortunate that we were able to do that because we were not clicking on all cylinders on offense. A lot of that had to do with South Florida.”
LSU shot 47.9 percent from the floor in the game, but managed only 41.7 percent in the first half.
USF did force 22 LSU turnovers, but committed 15 themselves. The Lady Tigers scored 13 points off turnovers, while the Bulls managed 16.
The Lady Tigers open Southeastern Conference play on Sunday when they host Georgia in the annual Pack the PMAC promotional game at 2 p.m. CST.
GAME NOTES
– Sylvia Fowles recorded the 43rd double double of her career and eighth of the season with 15 points and 16 rebounds tonight.
– Fowles moved into 15th-place on LSU’s career scoring list tonight. She passed Scholanda Hoston.
– Quianna Chaney reached double figures in points for the sixth straight game with 10 points tonight.
– Erica White scored a career-high 22 points in the victory.