Freshman Thomas continues strong play, LSU tops SE Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. -- — Freshman Cameron Thomas scored 21 points for his third 20-plus game, Trendon Watford had 20 points and nine rebounds, and LSU eased past Southeastern Louisiana 96-43 on Monday night in the Tigers home opener.
Thomas, named the SEC freshman of the week, opened the game with a 3-pointer to start a 21-6 run through the opening 10 minutes. He finished the game 4 of 8 from the 3-point line and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line. Last week, Thomas scored 27 points against SIUE and 25 versus Saint Louis, hitting 10 field goals and four three-pointers in each game.
LSU led 50-18 at halftime after shooting 53%, while holding SE Louisiana to 17%.
Mwani Wilkinson added 12 points and six rebounds for LSU (2-1), which is scheduled to host Louisiana Tech on Sunday. Darius Days had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Ja’Vonte Smart scored 10 points with five assists.
The Tigers shot 50% from the field, outrebounded the Lions 53-33 and had a 32-14 advantage for points in the paint. SE Louisiana made just 13 of 59 shots.
Shaquille O'Neal was in attendance to watch his son Shareef O’Neal, who scored five points — including a 3-pointer with 2:31 remaining for a 54-point lead. He also grabbed nine rebounds in 18 minutes.
Keon Clergeot scored 17 points and Joe Kasperzyk added 13 for SE Louisiana (0-3).
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Doug Shows
- Steven Anderson
- Bart Lenox
2023-24 Southland Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
McNeese | 17-1 | - | 30-4 |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 14-4 | 3 | 21-12 |
Nicholls | 13-5 | 4 | 20-14 |
Lamar | 12-6 | 5 | 19-14 |
SE Louisiana | 10-8 | 7 | 15-17 |
Northwestern State | 7-11 | 10 | 9-23 |
Texas A&M-Commerce | 6-12 | 11 | 13-20 |
New Orleans | 4-14 | 13 | 10-23 |
Houston Christian | 4-14 | 13 | 6-23 |
Incarnate Word | 3-15 | 14 | 8-23 |
2023-24 Southeastern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Tennessee | 14-4 | - | 27-9 |
Auburn | 13-5 | 1 | 27-8 |
South Carolina | 13-5 | 1 | 26-8 |
Kentucky | 13-5 | 1 | 23-10 |
Alabama | 13-5 | 1 | 25-12 |
Florida | 11-7 | 3 | 24-12 |
Texas A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 21-15 |
LSU | 9-9 | 5 | 17-16 |
Mississippi State | 8-10 | 6 | 21-14 |
Ole Miss | 7-11 | 7 | 20-12 |
Georgia | 6-12 | 8 | 20-17 |
Arkansas | 6-12 | 8 | 16-17 |
Vanderbilt | 4-14 | 10 | 9-23 |
Missouri | 0-18 | 14 | 8-24 |