LSU-Alcorn State boxscore

LSU shrugged off any lingering rust from its previous effort Thursday, drubbing Alcorn State 77-45 in the second game of the inaugural LSU Invitational.

Centenary defeated Troy in the opening game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, 81-77.

The Tigers sprinted out to a 21-2 lead in opening minutes of the contest, and took a 39-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

"Our intensity was good tonight," coach Trent Johnson said. "It was nice to come out like that."

Every LSU player saw action, with 10 of the 12 Tigers scoring. Tasmin Mitchell, Alex Farrer, and Storm Warren all scored in double figures.

Warren, a freshman, provided a spark for the Tigers, scoring six points and nabbing four rebounds in the first half. Warren finished 11 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. The double-double was the first for Warren as a college player.

"He's been so consistent," Johnson said.

"I do my best to step up when my teammates need me," Warren said.

One of the main cogs of the Tigers' success was its improved defense. LSU held the Braves to 23 points in the first half, compared to the 39 points Jackson State scored on the Tigers last Saturday.

"It's all about the defense," senior Garrett Temple said. "Our strength is definitely our defense."

"Defense wins championships," junior Tasmin Mitchell said. "The offense will come. The defense is key."

The Tigers recorded 16 blocked shots, tying a school record set in 1990 against Houston.
Although an impressive feat, Johnson saw errors that led to the blocks.

"We had a size advantage," Johnson said. "But, it says our point of attack is wrong."

Senior Marcus Thornton once again was not a threat offensively, scoring eight points on 3 of 7 shooting.

Known for his offensive prowess, Thornton contributed heavily on the defensive end. He guarded Alcorn's Troy Jackson, the Braves' leading scorer.

"I'm not concerned about his offense," Johnson said. "Marcus is going to score."

Johnson employed an unusual substitution strategy in the game, twice sending five new players in and taking five out.

"We don't have a first or second team," Johnson said. "Guys who are ready to play are going to play."

Though Thursday night's game may seem like a statement win, Johnson believes the book is still out on the 2008-2009 squad.

"I've seen good players and good teams. There are a lot of 2-0 and 3-0 teams that aren't that good," Johnson said. "We'll see how this team deals with prosperity."

The Tigers' next game will come against Northwestern State at 2 p.m. Sunday.

"They're going to be the best team we've played so far," Johnson said.
Johnson, always the critic, says he doesn't like to use words like "complacent" and "satisfied."

"I'm never happy," Johnson said dryly.