The LSU women’s basketball team heads into its season opener against Wichita State at 2 p.m. Sunday in the PMAC after two blow-out exhibition victories.
LSU coach Nikki Caldwell used the exhibition games to gauge the team’s needs heading into the regular season.
“This team is learning each and every day how to play with each other and know where we need to place the ball … to be successful,” Caldwell said.
Senior guard Adrienne Webb led all scores in the Lady Tigers’ final tune up against North Alabama on Tuesday with 24 points while shooting 9-13 from the floor. Webb said the performance will help her heading into Sunday’s matchup.
“It gave me a lot more confidence to take the open shots that I need to take coming into our game against Wichita State,” Webb said. “My teammates just found me, and I was able to knock in the shots.”
After winning both exhibition games by a combined total of 74 points, the team is excited to finally get its season rolling.
“We’re ready to start the season; everyone’s excited for the first official game,” said senior guard Bianca Lutley, who tallied 17 points Tuesday.
Lutley said the team needs to work on defense, offensive patience and taking better care of the basketball before the Wichita State game.
For Caldwell, Sunday’s game is a small step toward the team’s ultimate goal of post-season play at the end of the season. Caldwell said her players know what the game on Sunday means as well.
“They know that the season is here, and we’ve got to be ready to play Wichita State on Sunday,” Caldwell said. “I think they’ll be a different level of hype because it is your season opener. They understand what our goal is — one game at a time, one possession at a time, and they know that each win is critical to the future of our program and where we want to be in March.”
