For head coach Sue Gunter and the Lady Tigers it does not seem to matter if a Southeastern Conference win is pretty.
All that seems to matter is that it goes in the “W” column.
After all, there was nothing too pretty about No. 25 LSU’s (10-6, 3-2) 65-55 victory over the Arkansas Lady ’Backs (10-7,1-4) before a vibrant crowd at the PMAC on Sunday afternoon. Each team had 17 turnovers. LSU shot just over 36 percent from the field while Arkansas countered with 35 percent shooting.
Arkansas even had trouble from the charity stripe. The Lady ’Backs shot just 44 percent from the free throw line. UA also only had two assists for the entire game.
Even Gunter herself admitted this was not the game for the faint of heart to watch.
“It probably wasn’t the most fluid and pretty game that we’ve played in a while, but the kids played hard,” Gunter said. “We struggled through the adversity, came out and won. That’s the best thing that happened this afternoon is that it goes in the win column. We’ll take it.”
Aiysha Smith had a stellar game, registering a double-double of 18 points and 17 boards. Point guard Temeka Johnson had 17 points and freshman Scholanda Dorrell contributed 12 points including three first-half threes.
Smith also smashed a career-high in the rebound department. Her previous high total was 11. Smith said it was just a question of working hard on the low block.
“I just wanted the ball more,” Smith said. “I worked hard, boxed out, and kept fighting for it. Just had to get it.”
Gunter said she was impressed with the junior college transfer’s play down low.
“I thought that we got a great effort out of Aiysha,” she said. “I thought she did an outstanding job.“
LSU had several chances to put the game away, even leading by as much as 14 in the second half. The Lady Tigers allowed the Lady ’Backs to continually stay in the game.
“They kept fighting back,” Smith said. “We had to stay in it mentally. We had to play them like we were playing Florida. We couldn’t take them lightly. We just kept playing hard for 40 minutes.”
Gunter said there were a lot of things that contributed to Arkansas creeping back in the game. She said the main reason was not taking advantage of scoring some easy points.
“It was just all of the sudden a mental letdown,” Gunter said. “How many layups and how many free throws did we miss in that span? I think we were [flat]. Arkansas had a lot to do with how we played.”
Not only was Smith playing well Sunday afternoon, but so was Johnson. Though the point guard only had one assist, she contributed in other ways. She caused Arkansas many defensive headaches.
“Give [Smith] a lot of credit,” said Arkansas head coach Gary Blair. “Seventeen boards, big time game. I thought the key to the ballgame was in the second half when we had no answer for the little point guard. We’d back off three feet and she’s still beat three different people that was trying to guard her. Generally when she drove in we’d rotate over and she’d get the foul call.”
Gunter admitted a big key in the game was Johnson’s ability to drive and get to the foul line or score. She said Johnson provides a spark for the Lady Tigers.
“One of the biggest differences in the game was penetrating and getting to the free throw line,” Gunter said. “I mean, there’s a huge difference there. Part of what we wanted to do was push the ball and get to the free throw line. Temeka makes all the difference in the world. She ignites the motor.”
LSU attempted 29 free throws and made 19 of those. Arkansas attempted just nine free throws and made only four for a difference of 15 points.
The Tigers will hit the road tomorrow to take on the Lady Wildcats of Kentucky. Heading into the game, Kentucky is just 1-5 and currently sits on the bottom of the conference standings.