Coach Sue Gunter compared the Latvian Select team to the Villanova University squad LSU will open the regular season against in Eugene, Ore. on Saturday.
“Villanova is a very good basketball team,” Gunter said. “Villanova is better [than Latvian Select]. They have better players, but the size and style of play is similar.
“One thing we have more of is speed and quickness and we’ll have to use it.”
LSU sluggishly beat Latvian Select Monday night, 91-57, despite shooting just 51 percent from the foul line and 43 percent from the field.
Sophomore small forward Seimone Augustus led the Lady Tigers with 20 points in 24 minutes. Versatile guard/forward Scholanda Hoston chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds, and forward Tillie Willis notched 13 points and 11 rebounds as every LSU player that played scored.
Senior guard Doneeka Hodges added 11 points and forward Florence Williams contributed 10 points.
Augustus was injured after getting poked in the eye. She said she suffered a small scratch, but was otherwise OK.
“Tonight we just weren’t prepared,” Augustus said.
Gunter agreed with Augustus’ thoughts.
“I didn’t feel we were ready to play,” Gunter said. “We didn’t have a good practice yesterday.
“You play the way you practice.”
Gunter said the team has to be more consistent in terms of how it is focused.
“You can’t turn it on and off,” Gunter said. “You can’t just decide when you’re going to play. It’s not an individual thing, it’s a team thing.”
Hoston said she is rounding into form after being away from the team for one season.
“It was hard in the beginning to get back to where I was,” Hoston said. “I’m fine now.”
She said she will be able to handle the running style the Tigers will employ against teams, even when injured post players Crystal White and Wendlyn Jones return.
“That’s the main focus,” Hoston said of the Lady Tigers’ pace of play. “Everybody thinks we won’t be good because we’re small. We’re still going to run [when White and Jones return]. Crystal and Wendlyn are athletic. I don’t think it’s going to change at all.”
Gunter believes the run-and-gun style of play will give the Lady Tigers the best chance to win.
“We have to,” Gunter said. “That’s not even a question. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re not going to be able to pound the ball in.”
LSU made just 19-of-37 free throws, but did force 22 turnovers on the night.
“The free-throw shooting was atrocious,” Gunter said. “We want to make more free throws than our opponents shoot.”
Freshman guard Marian Whitfield was suspended for violating a team rule. The suspension was for Monday’s game only.