LSU had some adversity to overcome in its first Southeastern Conference tournament game against Mississippi State. Sophomore point guard Latear Eason left the game after suffering a neck injury with about six minutes left in the opening half, and junior guard Allison Hightower sat out the last seven minutes of the half, allowing Mississippi State to lead by as many as six points. Hightower scored just four points in the half. Freshman Destini Hughes filled in for Eason, and the Lady Tigers immediately went on a 9-2 run on their way to a 68-53 victory in North Little Rock, Ark. LSU assistant coach Travis Mays said in a postgame radio interview that playing without Eason and Hightower early really showed the progress of the team. “This win is a clear indication of the growth of this team,” Mays said. “[Hughes] played the game as if she had been playing all the time. She came out aggressive and not scared to make shots. And the turnovers she made she was trying to be sure of the passes she was making.” Hughes had four turnovers in the game but she scored seven points total and had three steals. Hightower came out firing in the second half, converting her first eight shots on the way to a career-high 23 points. Mays said Hightower’s performance showed what a leader she is for LSU. “That’s what your superstar player does,” Mays said. “She put the entire team on her back and showed her experience and hard work. She read the defense and took the shots they gave her.” LSU shot 51 percent for the game compared to 33 percent for Mississippi State. Third-seeded LSU will play in a semifinal game of the SEC tournament tomorrow night against No. 2 Vanderbilt. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
 
 
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