The LSU Tigers bounced back from a slow start to defeat the UNO Privateers 69-57 Monday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Ronald Dupree led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points. Jaime Lloreda added 14 points for the Tigers along with eight rebounds.
“We didn’t start initially like we wanted to,” said Dupree, who also had 12 rebounds in the game. “Intensity was the difference in the second half.”
The Tigers trailed the Privateers 27-23 at the half. Poor shooting plagued the Tigers early, as they went 10-for-30 from the field in the first half including 2-for-13 from the three point line.
But the second half was a different story for the Tiger basketball team. With the game tied 29-29 early in the second, Dupree slammed home a missed shot by Jaime Lloreda to give the Tigers a 31-29 lead.
This sparked the Tigers to a 9-0 run and shifted the momentum, putting the game out of reach for the Privateers.
“I’m proud of our team,” LSU head coach John Brady said after the game. “We go from 23
(points) in the first half to 46 (points) in the second.”
For the Privateers (7-4), Hector Romero scored 14 points and added eight rebounds. For Romero, it was his 39th consecutive game with double-digit points scored.
“Our idea was to double Romero,” said Brady. “But we didn’t let him beat us, he didn’t make critical baskets at critical times.”
The Tigers (9-1) next game is Jan. 5, in Athens, Ga., to face the Georgia Bulldogs (7-3). It is the first SEC game of the year for the Tigers. The game will be televised nationally on CBS at 3:30 p.m.
“I think Georgia has the best starting five in the league,” Brady said. “We are looking forward to playing Georgia on national TV next weekend.”