On a night when senior Seimone Augustus was honored for her individual accomplishments, it was the team’s defense that proved to be the focal point.
LSU held Southern to 31.9 percent shooting in a 107-39 victory Tuesday night in the PMAC.
The Lady Tigers (2-0) have won two straight, coming off a 76-68 win at Texas Tech last week.
Augustus, who finished with 10 points, was honored before last night’s game for receiving the National Player of the Year Award.
Coach Pokey Chatman said Augustus was not informed long before the game as Augustus typically exhibits a humble attitude.
“We didn’t want to tell her too far in advance,” Chatman said. “But it was fitting for the home opener. It was just another opportunity for us to pat Seimone on the back.”
The LSU defense was strong from the opening tip, forcing 21 Southern turnovers in the first half.
After falling behind 6-3 early in the first half, LSU reeled off nine straight points to pull ahead 15-6.
After allowing a layup by Southern’s Fredreika Lewis with 15:43 remaining in the half, the Lady Jaguars scored just nine more points in the half.
LSU’s biggest run in the first half came at just under the five minute mark with LSU up 43-15. A jumper by Augustus triggered a 14-2 run to end the half. LSU headed into the locker room with a comfortable 57-17 lead.
The Lady Tigers came out flat in the second half, committing four straight turnovers on their first four possessions. But sophomore Sylvia Fowles ended the drought with a jumper at the 17:57 mark.
LSU continued to cruise from that point, outscoring the Lady Jaguars 50-22 in the second half for the 68-point victory.
The 68-point margin of victory ties for LSU’s second largest, dating back to the Lady Tigers’ 103-35 win over Jackson State in 1999.
Southern’s leading scorer, junior Rolanda Monroe, scored just 11 points on 3 of 17 points while committing nine turnovers.
With the loss, the Lady Jaguars two-game winning streak came to a close. Southern was coming off an 85-67 win against Nicholls State last weekend.
Fowles, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, said the strong defensive effort came from good team play.
“We were very pleased with our defense,” Fowles said. “Everyone stepped up, even the ones who didn’t get a lot of playing time. Our coaches were really pleased with the defense.”
LSU’s bench play also was strong, scoring 59 points.
“It gives those kids confidence,” Chatman said. “The fact that we were able to jump on them early and maintain that gives us something we’re going to need.”
Aside from nearly breaking LSU’s margin of victory record, the Lady Tigers also came close to breaking the school’s free throw percentage record in a game.
With 20 consecutive free throws already made, LSU’s Hanna Biernacka missed attempt No. 21 in the second half. LSU’s previous best came on Feb. 13, 1988 when the Lady Tigers nailed 20 of 20 free throws.