The LSU men’s basketball team was outrebounded in all but two games prior to Wednesday night’s matchup against Gardner-Webb. The Tigers (5-4, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) also gave up 100 points in two straight games, including 50 points in the paint and 20 second-chance points in a loss to Houston on Sunday.
Finally eligible after transferring last fall, sophomore forward Craig Victor helped change that.
LSU held the Runnin’ Bulldogs to just 33.3 percent from the field while winning the rebounding battle, 54-35, en route to a 78-57 victory at the PMAC.
Despite shooting just 1-for-10 from the free throw line, Victor recorded 10 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. The New Orleans native provided an aggressive streak in the post on the defensive end as the Tigers held Gardner-Webb to just 24 points in the paint and a 7-of-26 clip from the behind the arc.
Freshman forward Ben Simmons and sophomore forward Aaron Epps each chipped in a doubles-doubles. In total, LSU had five different players in double figures, including senior guard Keith Hornsby’s 14 points.
Gardner-Webb guard Harold McBride led all scorers with 19 points, including a 5-of-9 mark from three-point territory.