LSU has one more non-conference game before beginning its 18-game gauntlet in the SEC.
The Tigers (11-1) are 7-0 at home as they prepare to face Southern Miss (7-6) on Monday night in Baton Rouge, La. They didn’t have their best performance in their last game, trailing visiting Prairie View A&M by 10 points in the second half before roaring back for a 104-90 victory Dec. 22.
LSU coach Matt McMahon said he was “proud of the response in the second half,” but recognized that his team has to be better in SEC play.
“Obviously, I want us to be a whole lot better defensively,” McMahon said.
Prairie View didn’t miss much in the first half, shooting 66.7% from the field and 76.9% on 3-pointers.
When forward Marquel Sutton was asked what areas the team needs to work on in preparation for the SEC opener at Texas A&M on Saturday he didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely defense,” Sutton replied. “Just guarding the ball, guarding our man one-on-one and just playing together, just having that urgency to play together, just believing in each other and having that confidence in each other.”
The Tigers were able to offset Prairie View’s hot shooting with better defense in the second half and with a record performance at the foul line. They made 43-of-49 attempts, surpassing the previous school record for free throws made in a game.
Southern Miss, which is 1-4 on the road, already has started conference play, splitting its first two Sun Belt games at home. The Golden Eagles beat Louisiana 62-54 on Dec. 18 before losing to Arkansas State 93-86 on Dec. 20.
Coach Jay Ladner is still experimenting with his personnel, using his fifth different starting lineup of the season against Arkansas State and Southern Miss allowed its most points of the season.
“We’re a process-oriented team,” Ladner said, “meaning that I feel that by concentrating on process and doing your best every day and continuing to eliminate the things that cause losing you continue to improve.”
One consistent element has been forward Tylik Weeks, who has scored in double figures 11 times this season, including the last 10 games. He leads the team with an average of 17.8 points per game.
