Last season, the LSU women’s basketball team won the Florida International Thanksgiving Classic, including a win over then-No. 12 West Virginia. Two games later, the Lady Tigers failed to build off the momentum they’d gained, losing to unranked Tulane 66-64 in overtime.
As LSU (6-1) comes off another tournament championship this season, the Lady Tigers will look to repair past mistakes today when they play Indiana State (3-2) at 11:30 a.m. in the PMAC.
“I think we are a little bit more mature than what we were last year,” said LSU coach Nikki Caldwell. “We have got players who are a little bit more seasoned, and we really like to get after the basketball … I know this team is so much more focused on not having letdowns.”
The Lady Tigers come off their most impressive two-game stretch of the season, defeating Rutgers and Michigan to win the Barclays Center Women’s Invitational in Brooklyn, N.Y. Freshman guard Raigyne Moncrief was named the tournament’s most outstanding player after recording 40 points and 11 steals in the two games.
Moncrief had her biggest moment of the season in the Lady Tigers’ 69-65 win against Rutgers. With fellow guards DaShawn Harden and Danielle Ballard suspended for their roles in an on-court altercation against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 23, Moncrief notched career-highs with 27 points and seven steals.
The outstanding performances over the weekend helped her win Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday.
“[Winning Freshman of the Week] is a blessing. I have got to thank God for this opportunity to play with LSU,” Moncrief said. “I love my coaches and my teammates, and it is an opportunity and a blessing.”
The Lady Tigers won the championship game against Michigan, 64-62, which included LSU overcoming a six-point deficit in the final five minutes. Sophomore guard Danielle Ballard converted a go-ahead layup with 20 seconds to play to seal the victory.
The key to the tournament success came through defense, as the Lady Tigers’ opponents committed 23 and 29 turnovers versus LSU. The team is currently forcing more than 20 turnovers per game against its opponents.
Indiana State is led by sophomore forward Marina Laramie, who comes into the game averaging 11.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Laramie came onto the scene last season when she averaged 10.1 points per game as a starter and earned Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honors.
Caldwell said the Sycamores are a well-balanced team that spread its opponents out, and LSU needs to focus on its defense and sticking to its game plan.
As the Lady Tigers prepare for Indiana State, Caldwell said she learned about the strength of her team after their victories in Brooklyn.
“The emphasis is placed on our team, being able to go on the road and play two really good teams, back to back … and being able to come away with victories,” Caldwell said. “We did a nice job of playing with adversity and playing with our backs against the wall.”

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Richard Redmann

LSU freshman guard Jasmine Rhodes (10) performs a lay up Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 during the Lady Tiger's 73-54 victory against Hampton Lady Pirates in the PMAC.