LSU forward Theresa Plaisance and her team were concerned with how they started their Jan 16 game at Missouri. LSU fell behind by double digits early, before putting together a run that gave LSU a two-point lead at halftime.
Since that game, LSU has failed to lead at halftime in five consecutive games, and players’ concerns are growing.
“We just need to do a better job of playing together and not go one-on-one when things break down,” Plaisance said.
LSU (17-5, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) will look to shake its first half woes where it started as it again takes on Missouri (14-8, 3-6 SEC) tonight, this time at the PMAC.
LSU has responded well to most of its early deficits, mounting comebacks against Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Auburn. But losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky have pinned the team back to fourth in the SEC.
The loss to Kentucky on Sunday proved especially troublesome, as LSU went more than nine minutes without scoring.
Plaisance said the Lady Tigers understand what they need to do to move forward from the loss.
“I feel like we could have given a lot better effort. We had a lot more to give,” Plaisance said. “So yeah, it was a setback. But we know the things we need to finish and touch up on.”
Freshman guard Raigyne Moncrief has recently stepped up for LSU. The Fort Lauderdale native has averaged 18 points in the last two games, including a 19 point, nine rebound performance against Kentucky on Sunday.
Moncrief said anybody on the team can step up because of the talent surrounding the team, but the team may need her skills as it takes on stronger SEC opponents.
In its first meeting with Missouri, LSU pulled away after breaking a school record with 13 3-pointers.
Despite the loss, Missouri still saw a 30-point outburst from forward Bri Kulas. The senior has been tormenting SEC teams, putting up 21 points per game against conference opponents.
After Missouri, LSU will face two of the SEC’s top teams, Texas A&M and South Carolina, in consecutive games. But for now, the mission is Missouri and being able to play a complete game.
“The most important thing that we need to focus in on is becoming a 40 minute team,” head coach Nikki Caldwell said. “We’ve got to be ready to defend different styles in the SEC. … But this is only preparing us for the NCAA [tournament].”