LAKE CHARLES – It’s a shot-making sport. LSU didn’t make many of them Thursday night, but the Tigers made enough in a 63-60 exhibition win over McNeese in coach Will Wade’s return to Lake Charles.
Despite shooting 35% from the floor, and 5-for-23 (22%) from three-point range, LSU outlasted McNeese in a back-and-forth battle in front of a spirited crowd. The lead changed hands 14 times, and both teams lead for at least 14 minutes.
Wade’s team did connect on seven-of-eight free throws in the final 1:06 to provide the final margin. McNeese misfired on seven straight field goals from the 4:57 mark to the 10-second mark. That allowed the Tigers to pull away and lead by five with six seconds left.
McNeese drew even, 53-53 with an Alier Maluk three ball from the right wing with 5:36 to play. LSU had led by as many as six when McNeese took the lead on a pair of Larry Johnson free throws with just under four minutes left, but the Tigers controlled the action after that.
Divine Ugochukwu’s corner three knotted things again with 2:39 left.
The teams played to a 31-31 first half draw. The stalemate went as far as both teams making 12 field goals and committing six turnovers.
Donovan Dent and Abdi Bashir did not produce much in LSU’s backcourt. The duo combined to go 3-for-20 from the floor and 2-for-12 from deep. Bashir was 1-for-10 coming off a sharp-shooting season at Kansas State. Dent did play nearly 40 minutes and did not turn the ball over.
On the positive side, European addition Michael Ruzic was stellar. He scored 11 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. He was the entirety of LSU’s frontcourt and really played well including two clutch free throws with 1:07 left.
LSU played its starters all but three minutes in the second half. It was essentially a five-player effort for LSU, but that group finished the game strong.
THE STATS
Michael Ruzic: 3-for-9 FG, 5-for-9 FT, 16 reb, 7 off reb
Divine Ugochukwu: 18 pts, 5 reb
Field Goals: LSU 18-for-32 (35%); McNeese 22-for-62 (35%)
Three Pt: 5-for-23 (22%); 7-for-26 (27%)
Free Throws: LSU 22-for-34 (65%); McNeese 9-for-11 (82%)
LSU only had six assists.
PERSONNEL REPORT
LSU sent out Donovan Dent (UCLA), Devine Ugochukwu (Michigan State), Abdi Bashir (Kansas State), Mo Dioubate (Kentucky) and Michael Ruzic (Spanish Liga) to start the game. CBSsports’s Jon Rothstein reported prior to tipoff that Ruzic’s attorney says the Croatian center is eligible.
None of the other international players entered the game. Those include Gilad Levy, Saliou Niang and Brice Dessert. RJ Luis did not travel.
UTSA transfer Austin Nunez was in a walking boot and street clothes. Wade said postgame that he had foot surgery and will be evaluated further in the near future.
UCLA transfer Skyy Clark did not play. Freshman Jordan Bender, LSU’s lone high school addition to the class, played briefly in the first half.
NEW FACE
With 13:24 to play in the first half, Strake Pearson checked in for LSU. He’s a 7-foot freshman from Texas who prepped at IMG but doesn’t have a traditional recruiting profile. He only played three minutes.
