Pouring on 61 first half points and having most of the starters on the bench by halftime, No. 2 LSU pelted Southwest Texas State 91-40 in front of 967 fans Saturday.
The Tigers (9-0) never trailed and shot 65 percent from the floor. After jumping out to a 10-0 lead, LSU rolled to a 61-25 halftime lead, holding the Bobcats scoreless over the final 2:15 of the half.
Head coach Sue Gunter was especially pleased with the first fifteen minutes of the game, and said she liked the team’s overall offensive execution and shot selection.
“We did come out with good intensity,” Gunter said. “I thought when the starters came out and we made our first subs, they picked up the tempo and brought a little extra energy on the floor.”
The scoring drought continued into the second half, where SWTS did not score until nearly seven minutes into the half. The bucket stopped a 29-2 LSU run that began in the previous half.
Point guard Temeka Johnson led the Tigers with 15 points, on seven of eight shooting. Johnson said scoring points is not a problem for her in the game, if it is what the team needs.
“It’s just something I don’t have to do as much because of the talent we have on the team,” Johnson said. “I’d rather have the assist anyway.”
Seimone Augustus had 12 points in limited action for LSU, along with Ke-Ke Tardy and Patty Hanten, who each scored nine points off the bench. Hanten was three for three from outside the arc.
LSU cruised in the second half, holding the Bobcats to only 15 points and forcing 29 turnovers in the game.
Junior forward and Duke-transfer Crystal White saw her first action of the season as well, scoring four points and blocking four shots. White said watching her teammates play from the sideline until she became eligible was tough, but she said her coach gave her advice beforehand.
“One thing coach Gunter said was let the game come to you, don’t try to force anything,” White said.
Though the Tigers cruised to the win, Gunter was not pleased with the rebounding. LSU out-rebounded the Bobcats 35-37, but gave up 24 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points
“The rebounding angers me,” Gunter said. “It’s really ridiculous that we’re not doing a better job (of rebounding), and it’s going to reach up and bite us if we don’t get better at it.”
The Tigers face No. 22 Texas at home next Saturday, in perhaps their toughest game so far this year. LSU lost 65-64 last year in Austin.
“They’ve got a big, strong kid on the inside; she’s outstanding,” Gunter said. “They push the ball defensively and are up in your face all the time.”