The LSU women’s basketball team began its season with a victory Sunday after pulling past Texas Tech 76-68 at the State Farm Tip-Off Classic in Lubbock, Texas.
No. 3 LSU (1-0) served as just the ninth team to defeat No. 13 Texas Tech (0-1) at the United Spirit Arena. The Lady Red Raiders have now gone 88-9 at home in the past six seasons.
“It was a great game against a great team in a hostile environment,” LSU coach Pokey Chatman said. “These kids hung in there when it counted and the result was a victory.”
The first half began with both teams even, exchanging baskets until midway through the half. With Texas Tech leading 30-27 at the 5:34 mark, the Lady Red Raiders scored five unanswered points to pull ahead 35-27 – Texas Tech’s biggest lead of the first half. LSU would hold the Lady Red Raiders for the remainder of the half, pulling off a 5-0 run of their own.
Consecutive baskets by guard Seimone Augustus pulled LSU within four, while senior guard Florence Williams closed the lead to three points after making one of two free throws with 16 seconds remaining in the half. LSU would head into the locker room down 35-32.
In the second half, LSU began to pull closer, while Texas Tech went five minutes without a basket after going up 43-38. LSU then went on a 9-0 run, giving the Lady Tigers a 47-43 lead.
Following a basket by Texas Tech’s Lavonda Henderson to pull the Lady Red Raiders within two, LSU began another run, reeling off eight unanswered points to take a 55-45 lead. It was the Lady Tigers’ biggest lead of the game.
However, Texas Tech would not go quietly and started a run of their own after a jumper by Latoya Davis with 9:54 remaining. Davis’ jumper triggered a 15-5 run over the next five minutes, tying the game 60-60 after consecutive free throws by Texas Tech’s Alesha Robertson.
With the scored tied at 64 and two minutes remaining, LSU’s Rashonta LeBlanc nailed her first shot of the game – a three-pointer that put the Tigers ahead 67-64.
Two free throws by Robertson brought the Lady Red Raiders within one, yet LSU got it right back when Augustus went down the court and nailed a jump shot on the ensuing possession to stay ahead, 69-66.
Texas Tech would not get any closer. Augustus scored five points on free throws in the final minute and a half to give LSU the win, 76-68.
Augustus led all scorers with 32 points on 12 of 25 shooting, with 13 rebounds and two steals.
 In her first career start, sophomore center Sylvia Fowles scored 13 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, LSU shot 41 percent from the field, while holding Texas Tech to four of 19 shooting from behind the arc
Texas Tech was led by Davis, who scored 21 points, along with 13 rebounds in the loss.