Danielle Ballard earns fourth SEC Freshman of the Week honor

The Southeastern Conference announced Danielle Ballard as its Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season after her performance at Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon.

Ballard scored 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting while adding seven rebounds and four steals in the Lady Tigers’ 63-41 win. Ballard said she’s chosen for the honor because she does the extra things on the court such as stealing and rebounding, but she still isn’t satisfied.

“It’s good to have it,” Ballard said. “But I want to be Freshman of the Month or Freshman of the Year.”

Ballard is also ranked third on LSU’s all-time freshman steals list with only eight to go for the record.

“So many years freshman done came by at this school and I’m No. 3?,” Ballard said. “I’m honored and happy.”

Lady Tigers back at .500 in SEC play

With the win at Mississippi State, the Lady Tigers have moved back to an even record in SEC play. LSU coach Nikki Caldwell credited the turnaround to the team working together to have better defense and rebounding. In the win in Starkville, LSU held Mississippi State to 24.6 percent shooting.

“You definitely want to finish out the regular season with a winning record,” Caldwell said. “… Our defense is really reflecting that in how hard we’re working in how committed we are to being a better rebounding team. When your record is starting to take a turn for the better, that also has SEC ramifications as well as NCAA.”

Junior forward Shanece McKinney stepping up as a “defensive stopper”

In the Lady Tigers’ last four SEC contests, junior forward Shanece McKinney has totaled 24 rebounds, 19 points and eight blocks. McKinney started all four games.

Caldwell said during the Mississippi State game that McKinney set the tone on the low block by altering and blocking shots, which were energy plays the team needed.

“McKinney has stepped up and grabbed the role as being a defensive stopper for us,” Caldwell said. “She’s done a great job of making those put backs when we need it. She’s also doing a job of securing key rebounds when we need them.”