Sophomore guard Antonio Blakeney was determined to play better after a dreary 2 for 11 season-opening game from the field against Wofford Saturday.
Eight minutes into the first half, Blakeney ran toward the perimeter, and caught a pass from freshman teammate Skylar Mays. What happened next was Blakeney shaping back into his dynamic scoring role for the Tigers.
Swish.
By the game’s end, Blakeney walked off the court with a game-high 26 points, six shy from his career-high. Tuesday, LSU’s 78-61 win versus Southern Miss, was Blakeney’s ninth 20-point game in his LSU career.
Blakeney, the Tigers’ second leading scorer in 2015, said he wanted to stay assertive early on.
“I just tried to come out and be aggressive,” Blakeney said. “Whether it was taking a shot or passing the balling or getting a rebound … It’s key to my teammates for spacing the floor.”
“We know Antonio can get in rhythm and make plays,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones. “I thought the other night he took shots and they just didn’t go down. We were never concerned about his ability to score.”
The 6-foot-4 guard carried the Tigers in the first half, where he scored 13 points for LSU. Blakeney looked his shot early, driving to the lane, scoring four points from under the hoop and knocking down a couple mid-range jumpers in the half.
The sharp-shooting guard was perfect from the 3-point line in the game, knocking down all three treys.
After Southern Miss came out in the second half on a 7-3 run, Blakeney’s hot streak caught fire once again.
Blakeney nailed his first three shots in the second half, including an emphatic dunk to give LSU a 42-35 advantage.
“That’s a major key in his game,” said freshman forward Wayde Sims. “He can jump really high. A lot of people are not going to be able to jump high as him. That athleticism that [is] going to help him be able to score on different type of defenders.”
When his jumper wasn’t effective, Blakeney looked to draw contact to give him free throw opportunities.
Blakeney made five of his eight free throws from the charity stripe and capped off his night with a 3-pointer as 1:47 remained in the second half, giving LSU a comfortable 76-59 lead.
Scoring the ball wasn’t the only area where Blakeney impacted the game. Blakeney pulled down five rebounds and dished out six assists.
“I just want to come out and win every game and do what I have to do to win the game,” Blakeney said. “Whether it’s scoring 20 points, getting 10 rebounds or playing defense, whatever the case may be. I just want to win.”