LSU washed away the Crimson Tide, 103-68, despite experiencing the first rain delay in Alabama women’s basketball history.
The Lady Tigers brought the rain inside the gym — literally and figuratively. A rain delay at the 16:42 point in the second half sent both teams to the sidelines and delayed the game for about 10 minutes. At the time, LSU led ‘Bama 55-37.
“We were probably about five minutes away from moving this game to their practice gym,” said associate coach Bob Starkey in the post-game radio interview.
After play resumed, the Lady Tigers picked up right where they left off, scoring the next seven points.
No. 14 LSU (18-3, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) ended its nine-game losing streak in the Coleman Coliseum to the Tide by making 42-of-65 shots for 64.6 percent from the field. LSU has won 17-of-18 games since starting the season 1-2.
Starkey said even the rain delay did not dampen LSU’s hot shooting.
“We never lost our focus,” Starkey said. “We came back out of that delay and continued to separate ourself even further from Alabama. The kids were absolutely focused.”
The Lady Tigers had four players score more than 20 points — a first in LSU women’s basketball history.
Doneeka Hodges and Scholanda Hoston each scored a season-high 25 points. Hodges nailed 6-of-8 3-pointers and Hoston made 4-of-6 from 3-point range off the bench. As a team, the Lady Tigers shot 62.5 percent from 3-point range.
Seimone Augustus scored 21 points and made 3-of-3 free throws to extend her consecutive free throws-made streak to 33. Temeka Johnson added her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 assists.
The four guards combined for 91 of LSU’s 103 points.
Starkey said it may have been one of the best shooting performances by the Lady Tigers all season. He said LSU made shots despite the different defensive looks the Tide threw at the Lady Tigers.
“They kept going back between man and zone,” Starkey said. “It really didn’t matter. That’s how smooth our kids were executing.”
LSU never trailed in the game. The Lady Tigers led by 10 points, 17-7, early in the first half. Alabama used a 14-5 run to cut the lead to one, but LSU countered with a 15-0 run to bury the Crimson Tide. The Lady Tigers never looked back, taking a 44-28 first-half lead.
In the second half, LSU continued its hot shooting, extending the lead to 36 points near the end of the game, 93-57.
Starkey said the Lady Tigers’ persistent defense prevented Alabama from making 3-point shots early in the game. ‘Bama did not make its first 3-point shot until just before the rain delay in the second half and made 5-of-12 for the game.
“We held them to zero [3-pointers] in the first half, which I thought was important,” Starkey said. “They obviously like to play the 3-ball and we didn’t give them that early. I think that hurt them a little bit.”
Alabama (10-11, 2-6 SEC) lost its sixth straight game. The Crimson Tide shot 45.1 percent from the field, but committed 17 turnovers. In comparison, the Lady Tigers recorded just six turnovers and 21 assists for a 3.50 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Three ‘Bama players scored in double digits. Natasha Gamble led the Crimson Tide with 21 points and six rebounds off the bench. Monique Blivins added 15 points and Lauren Hill scored 12.
Starkey said LSU’s performance was not perfect but was glad with the outcome.
“It certainly was an outstanding performance,” Starkey said. “The absolute best thing about it was that everybody contributed to this victory.”
LSU continues the road trip on Sunday against Auburn at 2 p.m.