LSU shakes off sluggish start to beat CSU

By Hunt Palmer

THE STORY: Call it sleepwalking. Call it poor play. Call it a letdown spot. It wasn’t good.

LSU couldn’t rebound effectively early, couldn’t get enough stops midway through the game and eventually just outlasted a Charleston Southern team that hadn’t been so much as competitive with a Division I team through three weeks.

Ultimately, you call it a win, 77-68.

Vyctorius Miller really showcased his scoring ability from the midrange early. Daimion Collins continued to excel in his dirty working role. And to their credit, LSU removed the seemingly inevitable drama with a 14-0 second half run to all but put the visiting Buccaneers away. Charleston Southern did come up with a brief 7-0 spurt to cut the lead to five with 2:21 left, but the Tigers salted it away.

This game felt eerily similar to the Alabama State game nine days previous. In both games, LSU trailed at the half before pulling away late. That’s not an issue in these mismatches, but it will not fly this weekend in West Virginia.

Not to completely harp on the negatives. Miller really looked good scoring the ball off the dribble. He was pulling up and hitting some tough shots. He also made a strong drive that he finished with his left hand. Jordan Spears, Cam Carter and Jalen Reed will likely be the first three options offensively, but Miller’s emergence may be required. Collins, Dji Bailey and Corey Chest aren’t guys who can get their own shot. Miller becoming that next potential option is huge.

Carter got his second foul with 13:57 to play in the first half. Reed got his at the 10:38 mark. They combined to play 11 first half minutes and score four points, all Reed’s. Carter didn’t attempt a field goal. Miller picking up that slack was the best development of the game.

THE STATS: After LSU annihilated Kansas State on the glass in Manhattan, Charleston Southern handed it to the Tigers 26-20 on the boards in the first half. The Buccaneers got 13 first half offensive rebounds and turned those into 11 second chance points.

LSU did a better job limiting turnovers. The Tigers had 11 in the game, six before halftime and five after.

LSU shot just 4-of-15 from three-point range. They continue to score without depending on the three-point line. That’s a positive. Though they’ll need to shoot it better moving forward.

Miller finished with a career-high 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting from two-point range. He missed his three triples. He also played 23 minutes without a turnover.

Carter and Sears shot 8-for-13 combined in the second half. They scored 21 points with a just two turnovers. Same story from the Alabama State game.

The Buccaneers shot 6-of-21 from three and started just 1-for-10. LSU entered the game No. 1 in the nation three-point defense. That will remain the case.

From the 19:21 mark to the 4:50 mark of the second half LSU went 17-for-24 from the floor. That’s 71%.

Charleston Southern shot 9-for-21 on layups. LSU’s length continues to bother teams at the rim. Collins, Chest and Reed blocked seven shots.

THE PLAYS:

This was clearly highlight of the game. LSU was in a dogfight, and both teams were getting after it on 50-50 balls. This time Sears came up with the heads up play to get the ball head in the right direction, and the finish from Miller was so nicely done through contact.

Absolutely INSANE Play 🤯🤯

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— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) November 20, 2024

Chest’s athleticism is sensational. If he fully embraces his role, which it appears he is, he’ll really help.

CO-1 BRINGING THE BOOM

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— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) November 20, 2024