Leaping into the PMAC stands and pretending to direct the Bengal Brass band Monday night, senior point guard Erica White reveled in the Lady Tigers’ win against Marist. Directing the band may not have been far-fetched as White directed just about every facet of second-half play in the Lady Tigers’ 68-49 win. “I thought that was the best performance you’ve had since you’ve been at LSU,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor to White in the post-game press conference. “Agree or disagree?” “Agree,” White responded with a grin. And she had plenty of reasons to smile. White shot 60 percent from the field to score 15 points, well-exceeding her average of 7.3 points per game. She also sank two three-pointers and recorded four steals and four assists. All of White’s points came in the second half. She played just six minutes in the first half because of two early fouls. LSU senior center Sylvia Fowles said it was tough to watch White sit on the bench through most of the first half. The Lady Tigers entered halftime holding just a two-point lead. “Without [White], we’re kind of lost,” Fowles said. “She knew that we needed her. She’s the one who gets us rolling.” White displayed her trademark intensity when she stole the ball and broke free for a layup near the 13:00 mark in the second half. The play extended LSU’s lead to 42-34. She said the spark came from a pre-game handout that assistant coach Bob Starkey distributed to the team. The handout featured a quote from Marist junior guard Julianne Viani. “LSU’s no better than Tennessee was,” Viani said about Marist’s 2007 Sweet 16 game against the Volunteers. “It’ll be tough, but maybe we can out-heart them.” Viani’s words motivated LSU’s fiery senior point guard. “It made me want to play harder,” White said of Viani’s comments. Marist coach Brian Giorgis said his team’s strategy was to limit LSU’s two leading scorers – Fowles and senior guard Quianna Chaney. “Our whole game plan was that if anyone other than Chaney or Fowles is shooting, it’s a good thing,” he said. Giorgis’ assumption nearly proved true, as guards RaShonta LeBlanc and Allison Hightower shot a combined 3-of-19 from the field. “[White] was one of the players we wanted to force to beat us, and she stepped up,” Viani said. “It’s frustrating to watch another player go off, but there’s nothing you can do.” Senior forward Ashley Thomas said she saw White’s energy and felt confident in the game’s outcome. “When I saw that look, I knew it was time to turn it up,” Thomas said. “Everyone said, ‘Let’s go.'” Fowles said White’s second-half demeanor elevated the play of her teammates. “[When I see that look], I don’t have any worries,” she said. “I know my job is about to get much easier.”
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