When he transferred to LSU, Jaime Lloreda’s junior college coach said he would step up in big games. The 2002 National Junior College Player of the Year backed up those comments Saturday as he scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the Tigers’ 85-72 victory against No. 7 Mississippi State.
Lloreda missed Wednesday night’s game against Houston with a knee injury and was listed as questionable for Saturday’s matchup.
“I don’t know if he even showed the effects of being injured,” said LSU head coach John Brady. “If he is injured, I can’t wait until he gets well.”
He started the game off slow, getting his first two shots blocked by the 7-foot Marcus Campbell. But then Lloreda showed the 10,442 fans why he has a reputation of playing well in big games and dominated the inside using finesse making his presence felt by out-dueling the preseason All-American Mario Austin.
“He’s a good player,” Brady said. “He plays big in big games. And the best thing about it is he’s just going to get better and better. And what I like is he’s back next year.”
As the second half began, Lloreda extended the Tigers lead to 10 points with three baskets in less than one minute of play, electrifying the crowd.
“When you see all those people cheering, something about it gets to me,” Lloreda said. “It’s tough competition. Every night we’ve got to play hard”
Lloreda ranks second in the SEC in rebounds, and he has four double-doubles through the first 13 games of the season, including a 19 point, 13 rebound performance in the Tigers’ 66-65 upset of then-No. 1 Arizona.
LSU forward Ronald Dupree finished the game with 18 points and 12 rebounds and said Lloreda’s ability to run the length of the floor is a challenge to opposing big men.
“His knee is still not 100 percent,” Dupree said. “But that’s just his heart and his character. He had the perfect challenge against Mario [Austin], and for the most part, he did a good job.”
Lloreda scores big for Tigers
By Bryan Wideman, Sports Writer
January 12, 2003