BATON ROUGE — Ben Simmons scored 24 points to lead five Tigers in double figures, as the LSU men’s basketball team extended its home winning streak to six games, 100-77, over Oral Roberts on Saturday.
LSU improved to 6-4 behind a 53.7-percent shooting performance (36 of 67), which included 65.5 percent in the second half. LSU is 4-1 when shooting 50 percent or more this season and 23-2 in the Johnny Jones tenure as coach when shooting 50 percent or better.
Simmons was 10-of-14 shooting to lead LSU, while guard Keith Hornsby and forward Craig Victor II each added 13 while combining for 11 of 18 from the field. Guard Antonio Blakeney and Josh Gray each scored 12. LSU was 20 of 28 from the free throw line (71.4 percent). It was the second consecutive game and the third of the season that LSU put five players in double figures.
Oral Roberts fell to 8-5. The Golden Eagles were led by Kris Martin with 18 and Obi Emegano – the NCAA’s second-leading scorer by total points – who had 16, more than seven below his average of 23.3.
Seven different Tigers scored during a 15-2 run, as LSU built a 30-9 advantage with 11:27 to play in the opening half. The Golden Eagles never got closer than 14 points, which came midway through the second half. Ten of 12 Tigers who saw action scored.
Oral Roberts shot 48.3 percent for the game (28-58).
The Golden Eagles committed 15 turnovers and LSU had a 26-14 advantage in points off turnovers and 12-7 on second chance points as for the second straight game LSU was able to get a solid rebound advantage, 40-30, and 16-11 on the offensive boards. LSU had 21 assists for 36 baskets and made 8 treys and a good 20-of-28 at the free throw line after struggling from there on Wednesday in the win over Gardner Webb.
Simmons just missed equaling the longest streak in recent years for double doubles and double figure rebound games (8, Glen Davis, 2006) when he pulled down nine rebounds (6 offensive) and had 7 assists in the game.
Tim Quarterman, who had nine points, had five assists in 23 minutes, while Hornsby added four assists and for another game playing over 30 minutes, had no turnovers.
LSU is now 22-5 in the Johnny Jones era when scoring 80 or more points, and the Tigers have scored 100 or more points twice in a four-game span for the first time since the opening games of the 1999-2000 season.
LSU returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 22, when American University comes to the Maravich Center for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff on the SEC Network. It is the final home game before a short Christmas break and the pre-conference schedule concludes on Dec. 29 when the Tigers take on Wake Forest in a game moved to 6 p.m. because of LSU’s Texas Bowl game on that same night. Tickets for both games are available at the LSU Athletics Ticket Office and at LSUtix.net.
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LSU HEAD COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Johnny Jones
Opening Statement…
“We knew we needed to get off to a good start today against a team that knocked off Tulsa and played a very good and talented Oklahoma team for about three-quarters of the game. We were able to do just that. Offensively, we were clicking. On the defensive end, we got the necessary stops, rebounded the ball for the most part from the start and were able to finish the half strong. We came back out in the second half and made some plays early… We did not get that run or that separation from them throughout the second half, but we did play well enough and fought hard enough in areas and were able to win the rebound war on the glass and wound up winning the game. Ben (Simmons), who has missed a few practices, has been banged up a little bit, he came out and played well today. As a team, Craig Victor got off to a great start, as well as Tim (Quarterman), Keith (Hornsby) and (Antonio) Blakeney. (Blakeney) was shooting the ball well early for us. Josh Gray came off of the bench and gave us some quality minutes, as well, along with Aaron Epps. Any time we have a balanced scoring attack and are rebounding the ball with the effort on the defensive end that we had, some good things can happen for us and they did today.”
On slowing down Oral Roberts’ Obi Emegano…
“It was good. We had a defensive assignment for Antonio Blakeney. He did a great job of focusing on him. He was 1-for-5 from the field in the first half. We knew he’d try to get going there in the second half, which he did, but at the same time, it wasn’t open looks. We had hand in face, and he got to the foul line. That was key for him. Our guys did a great job of being locked in scout report-wise and making sure we tried to get stops against their best player.”
On Craig Victor’s start…
“He’s aggressive. The opportunities were there for him. He caught the ball, faced up, looked, tried to go inside and his guy played off of him. He was able to execute and make plays. He got big inside. Our guys did a good job of feeding him when they opened the floor up. That’s what’s needed, having the ability to go from certain areas and guys being aggressive, and Craig provides that for us.”
LSU PLAYER QUOTES
Guard Keith Hornsby
On what started clicking in the second half…
“They came out really confident on offense in the second half. We didn’t rush anything on offense. We found out a weakness in getting to the post first. We played in and out and it really helped.”
On Antonio Blakeney continuing to shoot to gain confidence…
“That’s the only way you can get out of it. He is really confident as a shooter. I just told him to keep shooting. I didn’t really have to tell him that though because he is already confident going into each game. It is just who he is. Sure enough these past three games, he has shot over 50 percent from three each game. That is all you need. ”
On Aaron Epps‘ confidence level…
“Freshman year is a learning curve for most people. He learned a lot last year despite not playing much. He is also shooting very well and playing with a different type of composure. You can see it out on the floor.”
Guard Tim Quarterman
On what started clicking in the second half…
“I think the second half was big for us. We played as a team and got a couple of stops. We shared the ball on offense tonight.”
On when Ben Simmons gets going…
“It makes the game easier for the rest of us when he gets going. He is a great finisher at the rim and a great passer. When he gets going, it makes our offensive flow easier.”
On getting a couple of wins and building morale…
“I feel like everything happens for a reason. It humbled us as a team. I think we are getting back at it on the defensive end. We looked way better on the defensive end. We helped each other out and rebounded. I think we are making strides as a team. We are looking forward to the upcoming games.”
On Aaron Epps‘ confidence level…
“I just think he got beat up last year. With the two guys that left, it built him confidence going into this year since he knew he would have an opportunity to play. He is just coming in and playing this year. He is being aggressive and finishing at the rack. He is just a different player this year. He is a confident basketball player.”
Forward Craig Victor II
On not staying on the court for long…
“It was just the way the refs called the game. It wasn’t really a physical game like I wanted to play. I had to adjust.”
On feeling comfortable with Ben on the floor…
“I believe so. People don’t know that I knew Ben way before LSU. To be out on the floor again with him is good. It is just a natural feeling and we are out there playing ball.”
Point Forward Ben Simmons
On scoring points in the second half…
“I was just trying to be more assertive and aggressive and attack the rim. I know not many people can guard me once I catch it around the elbow. I was trying to get to the rim and find the open man.”
On finding chemistry with Craig (Victor)…
“We’ve practiced for a while now. In practice, we know how to play with each other. He can shoot the ball and I can post up. We work well together.”
On getting a couple of wins and building morale…
“Everyone is back on the floor and everyone is healthy. There are no more excuses anymore for the way we played like we did in the past. We all have to call each other accountable and we’ve been doing that.”
On having Craig Victor II back…
“It helps a lot. Craig can rebound and score. He is someone you have to watch out for. He is on their scouting report for sure. He is a great player. Having Keith and Tim also on the court at the same time helps a lot.”
ORAL ROBERTS HEAD COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Scott Sutton
On his team’s performance…
“LSU’s a very talented team; they exposed us in a lot of ways especially on the defensive end. We just came out and didn’t defend and didn’t take away the paint, and they made us pay. They got a lot of easy baskets early in the game, and then they got some confidence going and made some shots from the perimeter. We finally got them slowed down a little bit when we went to the zone, and our first shot defense was pretty good, but then we couldn’t keep them off the glass. They really hurt us on the glass in the first half, and then for us to beat a team like LSU, we have to defend much better, and we have to rebound better.”