LSU takes on state rival LA Tech for its third home game of the season. After two big wins, LSU is hoping to repeat those large wins. But they need to clean up some of its struggles.  LSU has shot below the desired completion percentage from the 3-point line. It had made 12 out of 50 shots between its two previous games. There’s also a worry about Skyy Clark. He has played the most minutes on the team but has struggled to score. He has scored only 4 points in 2 games.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
The UCLA transfer averaged 11.5 points per game last season, along with field goal and 3-point percentages in the 40s. Currently, both percentages rest below 10%, and he has failed to make a 3-point attempt. The opening possessions saw LSU down for the first time this season. After winning the tipoff, LSU’s first possession ended with a turnover. LA Tech was able to make a putback dunk by Iyran Francis Jr. The lead lasted only 10 seconds before LSU went back to the other end. Saliou Niang scored a layup and drew a foul, taking the lead to 3-2.
Wade’s up-tempo defense has proven to perform well, with a full-court press to open the game. The Tigers put pressure on LA Tech quickly in hopes of forcing mistakes and turnovers, which LSU succeeded in doing. With 10 steals in the first half, they cut off passing lanes and stole the ball off the dribble. LA Tech’s play has not been good on either side of the ball. Between the mass of turnovers and LSU’s defense constantly in the face of the Bulldog shooters, they struggled to score. On the defensive side, they played sloppy, with too many fouls in the first half.
Photo Cred: LSU
They ended the half with 13 personal fouls, though none of their players were in foul trouble to begin the second half. The Tigers’ domination ended with them up 47-20 at the end of the first half. To open the second half, Donovan Dent opened LSU’s scoring with a layup. On the next possession, he stole the ball from Jay Taylor and sank a deep 3-pointer. Halfway into the half, tempers flared as LA Tech’s senior forward, Ethan Blackmon, began retaliating after Mo Dioubate pulled his jersey.
Blackmon attempted to push him from behind under the goal. The pair had to be separated by teammates and LA Tech coaches. As LSU players attempted to break up the moment, some began shoving other players themselves. The result of the fight was three technicals, two on LSU (Dioubate and Divine Ugochukwu) and one on LA Tech (Ethan Blackmon). This put Dioubate at four fouls. LA Tech’s Braylen Wenger made the two free throws, but they failed to capitalize on the offensive end. A turnover resulted in two points for LSU.
Dioubate fouled out less than two minutes later on a shooting foul, forcing him out for the rest of the game.LSU never slowed down, with the starters and top bench players remaining in until the final few minutes. LSU’s top scorer was bench player Abdi Bashir Jr. with 16 points, followed by Dioubate with 15 points. Things also seemed to be better for Skyy Clark, who scored his season-high of [point total] points with five steals, showcasing his talent as the season begins to pick up pace.
LSU seemed to have cleaned up its gameplay from the opening week, shooting 33% from the 3-point line and over 50% from the field. Along with a high of 16 steals, the Tigers seem to be getting into a groove as the bulk of their nonconference games come closer. The game was another big win for the Tigers, with the final score of 90-50.
