The LSU women’s basketball team will look to get back to .500 in Southeastern Conference play on Sunday when it takes on Mississippi State in Humphrey Coliseum.
After beating No. 9 Georgia on Feb. 10 in their third game against a top 15 team in six days, the Lady Tigers had a week off to recuperate before heading to Starkville, Miss., for their next contest.
LSU (14-10, 5-6 SEC) last met the Bulldogs (11-12, 3-7 SEC) on Jan. 13 when the Lady Tigers celebrated an easy 62-42 victory.
But since starting 0-6 in conference play, Mississippi State has begun to find its stride, winning three of its last four games.
“I’ve seen a [Mississippi State] team that is really committed to disrupting people on the defensive end,” said LSU coach Nikki Caldwell. “… They are playing well together as a team.”
Caldwell praised Mississippi State sophomore center Martha Alwal, who leads the SEC in rebounding by averaging 10 per game.
Alwal has been the leading force behind Mississippi State’s run, posting four double-doubles in four of the Bulldogs past five games. She has averaged 15.8 points and 11.6 rebounds in that span.
“[Alwal] has a presence in the paint, not only as a shot blocker, but also as an intimidator, and she can score the basketball for them,” Caldwell said.
LSU forward Theresa Plaisance will be in charge of slowing Alwal down. Plaisance in the conference’s leader in blocked shots with 2.8 per game.
Averaging 17.8 points per contest, Plaisance is on pace to become LSU’s first SEC scoring champion since Seimone Augustus in 2006.
Caldwell said better rebounding has been key for her team and expects a major contribution in this statistic from freshman guard Danielle Ballard.
The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week has struggled to find the basket in conference play, but has begun to find other ways to contribute. Her game-high 15 rebounds against No. 9 Georgia was vital to the Lady Tigers’ victory.
“Danielle Ballard brings a toughness when she goes to the boards,” Caldwell said. “She’ll come flying in from the wing and she’ll snag unbelievable rebounds for us.”
“Danielle Ballard brings a toughness when she goes to the boards. She’ll come flying in from the wing and she’ll snag unbelievable rebounds for us.”
