LSU Blows Out Gardner-Webb

The LSU Tigers used an 18-2 run midway through the first half to open a commanding lead and coasted to a 78-57 win over outmanned Gardner-Webb at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Wednesday night.

The Tigers (5-4) led 17-10 with 11:52 in the first half when the run began.  Aaron Epps hit a layup, Arizona transfer Craig Victor nailed a three pointer, Epps followed with a jumper and a dunk, Brandon Sampson had a traditional three point play and a triple and Keith Hornsby hit a trey to fuel the onslaught.

The Tigers led 42-23 at the half.

LSU increased its lead to 25 points by scoring the first six points of the second half, and still led by 20, 65-45 with 7:14 left.  But Gardner-Webb (4-7) didn't go away, responding with a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 13 points with just under four minutes to go.  LSU then closed on a run of its own for the final margin.

The TIgers had a team scoring effort with five players in double figures.  Hornsby led the way with 14 points, Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney added eleven points, while Epps and Victor added ten points each.  Both Epps and Simmons wound up with double doubles, with Simmons leading in rebounds with twelve and Epps with eleven.

Harold McBride was the only double figure scorer for the Bulldogs with 19 points.

After having defensive struggles, LSU was much more efficient defensively, holding Gardner-Webb to just 33 percent (19-57) shooting.  The Tigers had a commanding 51-32 advantage on the boards.

The inability to make free throws was one reason the score was as close as it was.  The TIgers made just 12-29.

LSU will be back in action Saturday night against Oral Roberts at the PMAC.