The LSU women’s basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back Tuesday on its way to an 83-66 win against Indiana State.
The Lady Tigers (7-1) put together one of their most complete performances of the young season against the Lady Sycamores (3-3), posting season-highs in shooting percentage, assists and blocks in front of a raucous crowd filled with more than 5,000 East Baton Rouge Parish elementary students.
“This was such a fun atmosphere,” said LSU coach Nikki Caldwell. “We talked in pregame to our team about the kids coming out. … I hope we came out and showed our fans how hard we work and how much fun we have playing this game we love.”
SoutheasternConference Freshman of the Week Raigyne Moncrief continued her recent streak of dominance, shooting 8-of-11 from the floor for a game-high 22 points and finished a rebound shy of her first career double-double.
Moncrief has found her stride as of late, averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 steals and seven rebounds in her last three games.
“Her athleticism is crazy,” said LSU senior guard Jeanne Kenney. “It’s nice to play with someone who I can just kick the ball ahead to and she can make a play.”
LSU used its superior size throughout the contest to outscore Indiana State 54-24 in the paint and allow just seven rebounds in the first half.
Senior forward Shanece McKinney tallied 13 points and three blocks in her second start of the season, and senior forward Theresa Plaisance added 10 points and six rebounds.
Sophomore forward Derreyal Youngblood also found success in the post, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor for a season-high 10 points.
LSU also played lockdown defense, holding Indiana State to 37.5 percent from the field and limiting its leading scorer senior guard Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir to 3-of-10 from the field for eight points.
Instead, the Lady Sycamores were led by senior guard Anna Munn, who had an 18-point second half to finish with 24 points.
“Our team did a really good job of being aware, closing out and not over-rotating our defense,” Caldwell said.
Despitethe solid overall performance, Caldwell could not help but point out the Lady Tigers were far from perfect.
LSU committed 25 turnovers and put Indiana State on the foul line 29 times.
“We fouled too much in the second half,” Caldwell said. “We have to talk again about being a 40-minute team. Sometimes we get a little complacent, and that showed in the turnover column.”
LSU sophomore guard Danielle Ballard did not dress due to violating team rules.
The Lady Tigers will now take a 12-day break from competition for finals. Its next contest will be Dec. 15 when they travel to take on Arkansas-Little Rock.
I hope we came out and showed our fans how hard we work and how much fun we have playing this game we love.”

Gallery • 11 Photos

Angela Major

LSU freshman guard Raigyne Moncrief (11) dribbles the ball past Indiana State senior guard Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir (10) Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2013 during the Tigers' 83-66 victory against the Sycamores in the PMAC.