THE STORY
It could have been a tricky spot. It wasn’t.
LSU avoided wandering eyes toward a huge matchup with Gonzaga this weekend and hammered Louisiana Tech, 90-50, on Monday night in the Maravich Center.
The Tigers’ length really bothered Louisiana Tech all game. The Bulldogs turned the ball over 11 times in the first half which led to 16 points. Tech only scored 20 before intermission.
For the game, Louisiana Tech turned the ball over 23 times, 16 of which were LSU steals, five each from Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent.
LSU (3-0) started hot from the floor, making 10 of its first 15 field goals and their first 13 free throws.
The disruptive defense and strong shooting put LSU up by 10 points four minutes into the game. The first half lead swelled to as many as 28 in a game that was never truly competitive.
Clark finally saw a three-ball go down. The UCLA transfer splashed a 3-pointer about two minutes into the second half. That snapped a streak of 13 missed attempts to open his season. When the ball went through, Clark put his hands together and looked up as to suggest the bucket was an answered prayer.
Freshman Michael Ruzic continued his impressive start to the season, pacing LSU’s offense with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting including a three pointer.
Abdi Bashir pitched in with 16 points on four made from deep.
The Tigers have played well through three games by will now face perhaps its most difficult non-conference test at Gonzaga on Saturday.
LSU basketball coach Will Wade was disappointed with the early effort on Friday against Texas Southern. His team responded with a complete effort three days later.
THE STATS
FIELD GOALS: Louisiana Tech 18-for-57 (32%); LSU 31-for-55 (56%)
THREE-POINTERS: Louisiana Tech 2-for-16 (13%); LSU 8-for-24 (33%)\
PAINT POINTS: 40-24 LSU
TRANSITION POINTS: 21-2 LSU
Michael Ruzic: 17 pts, 7-for-9 FG, 5 rebs, 1 blk, 1 stl
Mo Dioubate: 15 pts, 6 rebs, 3 ast
LSU has 16 steals and five blokced shots
No Tiger played more than 30 minutes
WHAT’S NEXT
LSU will travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on Gonzaga Saturday afternoon. Mark Few’s Bulldogs toppled Purdue in the season opener and are ranked in the top 15 by the AP and the Coaches.
