The LSU women’s basketball team’s identity as a defensive force showed true when the Lady Tigers forced Vanderbilt to 24 turnovers in a 64-58 victory at the PMAC on Sunday.
LSU (19-10 overall, 8-8 Southeastern Conference) utilized Vandy’s mishaps and scored 23 points off of turnovers.
Junior guard Raigyne Moncrief’s six steals also contributed to the Lady Tigers’ success.
“Yea, I was in for the steal but I have to give credit to my teammates for the trap,” Moncrief said. “They trapped. They made it difficult … it just worked out, part of our game plan.”
For seniors Rina Hill, Alexis Hyder and Jasmine Rhodes, the victory was their last win at home for the season.
The last time LSU played against Vanderbilt on Feb. 13, and lost 70-68, Hyder fouled out. This time around, she was determined to stay in the game and see things through, she said.
“A lot of the times, I kind of become a cleanup and that’s not really all that I can bring to the table,” Hyder said. “I’m just trying to be the best that I can be for my team.”
Hyder and Moncrief spearheaded the team in points with 17. Junior guard Chloe Jackson also added 15 points.
The Lady Tigers had a high tempo start and ended the first quarter with a 17-9 lead.
LSU forced Vanderbilt to turn over eight times.
The Lady Tigers secured the lead in the first quarter and kept it throughout the second. Though Vanderbilt outscored LSU, the Lady Tigers went into the half with a four-point lead, 31-27.
LSU struggled to keep the lead in the third quarter as the lead changed and the score tied twice.
Eventually, the Lady Tigers came out on top and finished the quarter leading Vanderbilt, 44-40.
With the win, LSU earned seven seed in the SEC Tournament.
The Lady Tigers are set to play against on No. 10 seed Ole Miss on March 2.
Moncrief said the tournament is nothing compared to the regular season.
“It’s basically a new season,” Moncrief said. “You just have to come ready to play. All the losses and wins before, that don’t mean anything. You see so many upsets in the SEC. We just got to make it happen – come ready to play.”
For LSU coach Nikki Fargas, the Lady Tigers’ defensive efforts are ready for both the SEC and the NCAA Tournament.
“I definitely feel as though our resume is a strong, strong resume for a nod in the NCAA selection Monday,” Fargas said. “This team is very much an NCAA team and the team that has lead the nation in forced turnovers. So defensively we’re capable of really getting after people and so I hope they recognize our strength of schedule and our RPI.”
