The LSU men’s basketball team secured its third win of the season Friday night, beating Southeastern 89-66.
The Tigers raced out to a big lead in the first half and never looked back. LSU was paced offensively by freshman forward Jordan Mickey who finished the night with 17 points.
“I thought our guys did a much better job of getting off to a good start,” said coach Johnny Jones. “We had a much better effort than the last game against UNO.”
Junior guard Anthony Hickey responded well after receiving his first start of the season, leading the Tigers in steals and assists.
Hickey said he practiced with the starters leading up to the game, but didn’t know until Jones wrote the starters on the team board that he was reclaiming his starting role.
The two Tigers connected for a thunderous alley-oop in the second half that ignited the crowd.
“It feels great when you make a play like that, because you get the crowd into it,” Hickey said. “When the crowd sees it’s going to happen that’s the best thing. That kind of dunk excited me, it gets me pumped up out there.”
Mickey said eye-contact between him and Hickey led to the dunk, but the team knows as long as they get it close to him he’ll be able to throw it down.
LSU allowed Southeastern to claw its way back into the game early in the second half, with the Lions getting within 10 points of tying the game.
“We played great defense they just made a couple of shots, give credit to them they made a I think five threes in a row,” Hickey said. “But we have to get better on the defensive end.”
But the Tigers settled back into their offensive groove following two Mickey free throws, and coasted to the victory over the Lions.
Freshman forward Jarell Martin returned to action, and despite two early fouls was able to provide an offensive spark for the Tigers.
Martin said hitting a mid-range jumper restored his confidence and allowed him to get going on the offensive end.
The Tigers will continue their season at the Old Spice Classic against St. Joseph on Thursday.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Angela Major

LSU freshman forward Jordan Mickey (25) dunks the ball Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 during the Tigers' 89-66 victory against Southeastern in the PMAC.