LSU bounced back well after back-to-back losses in Maui with a home win versus UT Martin 84-60.
For just the second time in his 37 game career, senior big man Duop Reath did not start for the Tigers. UT Martin went with a matchup 2-3 zone that LSU struggled to respond to in the early going.
Wade said overall he saw growth tonight from the trip to Maui and with 10 days off, the team will focus on improving defensively.
“We shared the ball well on offense,” Wade said. “Our ball screen defense was better today. We fumbled a couple balls tonight and our free throw shooting needs to improve.”
The Tigers (4-2) came out sluggish against the Skyhawks going 0-for-6 from three point range and missing a number of defensive assignments.
Daryl Edwards came off the bench and made an instant impact drilling two three pointers to get the crowd and team going.
LSU went on a 13-3 run in a eight minute stretch led primarily by Edwards who had eight of those points.
“I’m focused on making the simple play,” Edwards said. “We let them score 34 points in the second half. I wouldn’t say that was a complete game at all.”
After starting the game 4-for-5 from the field, UT Martin went one for their next 11 and finished the first half shooting 38 percent from the field with LSU pulling away for a 41-24 halftime lead.
Freshman point guard Tremont Waters didn’t score a bunch, but the level of defensive intensity on him reflected in other players getting wide open looks.  
Many times in the second half Waters was double teamed but he remained poised and dished out a career high 10 assists.
Waters said even though his shot wasn’t falling early he had to adjust and effect the game in a different way, by creating for his teammates.
“The majority of my role is to score when I have to and make plays for my teammates,” Waters said.  “Coach stressed defense this week and I feel like we’ve gotten better the past few days in that aspect.”
LSU was able to extend its lead by as many as 24 points in the second half with some impressive transition plays by Waters and freshman forward Brandon Rachal.
The Tigers don’t play again until December 10 when they host UNC Wilmington at 4 p.m in the PMAC.