By Ryan Brumley, Sports Showtime director
LSU newcomer’s shined in the basketball-football double header as LSU kicked off the 2011-2012 basketball season with a 96-74 victory over Nicholls State.
The Tigers had seven players in double figures led by freshman point guard Anthony Hickey who scored 14 in his first game in the purple and gold. Freshmen John Issac and Johnny O Bryant added 13 and 12 points respectively off the bench.
LSU came out struggling only scoring two points in the first three minutes. Trent Johnson then subbed out all five players, and O Bryant made an instant impact, scoring eight points, grabbing three rebounds and blocking two shots in his first four minutes.
Trent Johnson’s squad took advantage of 31 foul shots, making 25 of them. LSU also dominated from behind the arc, nailing 11 of 24 shots.
This was the highest scoring output for the Tigers since February 11th, 2008 in a double overtime struggle against Mississippi State when the Tigers edged out the Bulldogs 97-94.
Fans poured into the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for the opening game of the year, putting 7,124 on-lookers in the seats. LSU’s next contest will be on the road against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday night. The Tigers return home Wednesday November 23, to face South Alabama.
Contact Ryan at [email protected]
