The LSU women’s basketball team proved Sunday afternoon that history does indeed repeat itself. Thanks to a 15-point, 11-rebound performance by junior center Sylvia Fowles, No. 8 LSU (18-2, 4-1) defeated the University of Alabama (10-11, 0-6) 61-45, extending its winning streak over the Crimson Tide to seven games dating back to the 2003 season. The Lady Tigers started the game slowly, trailing Alabama 10-9 with 11 minutes to go in the first half. LSU missed 25 of its 37 first-half shots, but the Tigers stayed in the game thanks to 11 offensive rebounds and strong defensive play. “If you look at our shot-chart we’re getting layups, and we’re getting two- and three-footers, and those are just a matter of focus and concentration,” LSU coach Pokey Chatman said. “We won’t be satisfied with just getting a good look and not getting it down.” The Lady Tigers created 12 first-half turnovers and held the Crimson Tide to 32 percent from the field, giving LSU 15 more shots than Alabama in the first 20 minutes of the game. LSU closed the half on a 15-7 run to take a nine-point halftime advantage. Chatman said that despite the lead she was displeased with LSU’s first-half play. “It sounds like we’re never satisfied as a coaching staff,” she said. “But that’s because mainly we’re not.” Fowles led LSU with eight points and six rebounds at the break. The beginning of the second half was a more fast-paced version of the first, with Alabama cutting LSU’s lead to 39-33 with 12 minutes to play on a jumper by senior guard Navonda Moore, who led Alabama in scoring with 19 points. Moore scored 15 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to keep Alabama in the game, but a 22-12 LSU run sealed the Crimson Tide’s fate. “Looking at the stat sheet, we attempted 17 more shots than [Alabama],” Chatman said.
“That means we’re getting shots and offensive rebounds. We just need to finish all of them.” Junior guard Quianna Chaney scored nine second-half points after shooting just 1-for-11 in the first half. LSU got 18 offensive rebounds for the game while holding the Crimson Tide to 35 percent shooting, marking the 12th time LSU has held its opponent under 50 points. The Lady Tigers also dominated inside, outscoring Alabama 42-14 inside the paint. The game continues LSU’s dominance over the Crimson Tide. LSU has won all of the teams’ past seven games by an average of just under 26 points. Chatman said she expects to see progress from the Lady Tigers before they return to the court Thursday against the University of Arkansas. “This was a win, it’s on the road, and I understand that,” she said. “But there are things we can continue to improve on.”
—–Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]