While the offense did its job in the Lady Tigers 77-51 victory over North Texas last night, a strong defensive output also played a key role in LSU earning its eigth win of the season.
Holding the Mean Green to 37 percent shooting in the game, coach Pokey Chatman said she was pleased with the team’s defensive effort.
“When we’re clicking on all cylinders, that’s the beauty of this team,” Chatman said. “We get different looks, different points of attack and different ways to play the game.”
Compiling 22 steals for the game, the Lady Tigers defense was led by junior Scholanda Hoston, who finished with seven steals.
“[Defense] played a major role in the win,” Hoston said. “It brought our energy up.”
Chatman said she was pleased with Hoston’s defensive performance.
“Scholanda did an excellent job,” Chatman said. “She was very energetic, didn’t get out of position and was disciplined.”
And on a defense that gives up just 50.7 points per game, Hoston added it was the energy that put them over the top.
“Keeping our energy going is what kept us alive,” Hoston said. “We didn’t execute as well as we could have on offense, so our defense really kept us ahead.”
Yet according to junior Seimone Augustus, too much energy can prove harmful.
“At some parts of the game, we got overly-aggressive,” Augustus said. “We let them get some easy baskets. But overall, I think we did great.”
Chatman added too much energy leads to an undisciplined team, which is something she said the team must improve upon.
“I was extremely pleased with their energy,” Chatman said. “But then you can get to the point when you’re not disciplined with that energy, and that’s something we struggled with.”
Aside from finishing with 22 steals and 11 total blocks, LSU’s strong defensive effort also led to 28 points off turnovers.
Chatman said a high number of points from turnovers helps teach the team the importance of their ability to put together a successful season.
“We’ve constantly talked to our kids about their ability to do these things because they’re capable of doing them,” Chatman said. “I dont want them to do it beacuse they have to.”
And with the schedule only becoming more challenging as the season progresses, Chatman said certain things first must be accomplished in order for the players to play at their full capability.
“We have to bring the energy and we have to bring the execution for that to even be an option,” Chatman said.