Lady Tigers top Mississippi State by ten points
An emotionally charged LSU Lady Tiger basketball team took to the court last night to take on Mississippi State in Southeastern Conference action.
Despite allowing Mississippi State’s dynamic duo of LaToya Thomas and Tan White to combine for a total of 59 points, the Lady Tigers proved victorious by a score of 88-77.
Regardless of Thomas and White’s performance, the Tigers virtually shut down the No. 1 offensive team in the Southeastern Conference.
“We did a great job,” said LSU head coach Sue Gunter. “People are going to say ‘How could you do a great job if Thomas gets 33 and White gets 26?’, but it’s hard to shut them down completely. They are both great players. I thought in the first half we did an excellent job against them, but in the second half we sent them to the free throw line more than I liked, but I’m not gonna sit here and justify — I’m a happy woman right now.”
The Lady Tigers displayed an exemplary performance of teamwork, posting 29 assists for a total of 88 points while making 57 percent of their shots from the field.
Despite the Lady Tigers’ seemingly dominant performance, junior center Aiysha Smith (20 points and seven rebounds) was impressed with Thomas’s outstanding game.
“Before tonight’s game, I had heard how good Thomas was but didn’t see it in person,” said Smith. “But I definitely saw it in person tonight. We did the best we could against her — 33 points — but we got a win, that’s what matters to me.”
Along with Smith’s performance, the Lady Tigers received outstanding support from forward Roneeka Hodges and guard Temeka Johnson. Hodges posted a double-double accounting for 15 points and 10 rebounds.
With the win LSU increases its chances for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Lady Tigers are tied for fourth place with No. 15 Florida in the SEC, as the Lady Gators beat Arkansas, 64-58, in Gainesville, Fla. on Thursday. The Lady Tigers play their final game of the regular season on Sunday against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., An LSU win would give the Lady Tigers a bye in next weekend’s SEC Tournament opening round.
Patrick Foy