×

PALMER POSTGAME: LSU blasts Delta Devils

Dec 29, 2024 | 8:02 PM

By Hunt Palmer

THE STORY: Truthfully, the work LSU put in on the practice floor over the last three weeks will matter more than the result of the final three non-conference games.

Mississippi Valley State came in as the worst team in Division 1 basketball on Sunday, and nothing that happened during the 40 minutes of play proved that to be anything but true.

LSU used a 16-0 run to help create a 42-point halftime lead. That margin is the largest halftime lead by the program since at least 1952 when the Tigers led Southwestern (Tennessee) by 41. The second half wasn’t any different.

LSU continued to pour it on, crossing the century mark with 5:14 to play, and won, 110-45.

Despite the level of competition, there were some welcome sights for LSU.

Jordan Sears shook off a shaky two-game shooting skid and knocked down 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Cam Carter sizzled out of the gate with four first half threes and five overall. He poured in 23 points to lead the team.

LSU got to work against a zone defense for extended period of the game, something that could come in handy as conference play begins Saturday.

The Tigers took care of the ball. At halftime the team had just a single turnover.

Mike Williams returned from a brief absence for what Matt McMahon called “personal reasons”. He played the final four minutes.

It was a complete domination of an inferior opponent, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the team didn’t even watch the tape. Chapter 1 of the season is in the rearview. The Tigers enter league play at a respectable 11-2 with all of those preseason NCAA Tournament goals in front of them.

One truly bad half in Frisco, Tex., and of course Jalen Reed’s season ending injury were the low points. But there were plenty of highs, as well.

Saturday afternoon will be a big one at home as Vanderbilt comes to town. It’s imperative that LSU gets off to a good start in a brutal league.

THE STATS: LSU’s veteran backcourt was rock solid. Jordan Sears, Cam Carter and Dji Bailey combined to shoot 18-for-28 (64%) from the floor and 8-for-16 (50%) from three-point range with 10 assists (seven by Carter) and two turnovers.

Carter topped 1,000 points in his collegiate career.

Vyctorius Miller posted a career-best 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

LSU shot 66% from the floor but just 6-of-12 at the free throw line.

Mississippi Valley State missed 37 shots and only rebounded four of those. LSU has worked tirelessly on improving defensive rebounding. Those numbers were good.

LSU outscored the Delta Devils 60-20 in the paint.

Donovan Sanders of  MVSU recorded all five of the team’s assist. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a basketball team finish with one player in the assist column.

MVSU’s first free throw attempt came with 8:51 left. They didn’t shoot a free throw over the first 31:09 of game time.

The final score was the fifth largest margin of victory in LSU history.

THE PLAYS: