LSU, buoyed by road win, clashes with Charleston Southern
LSU, having started the season with three victories by double-digit margins, will try to keep building momentum when it returns home to face Charleston Southern on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, La.
After sweeping two home games against outmanned opponents, the Tigers played at a high level from start to finish in a 76-65 victory against Kansas State on Thursday in Manhattan, Kan.
"I thought our guys really delivered in all areas of the game," coach Matt McMahon said of LSU's first non-conference road win since 2020. "I really thought we guarded at a high level for 40 minutes."
The Wildcats shot just 37.7 percent from the field and made just 5 of 21 3-point attempts (23.8 percent), while the Tigers shot 50 percent from the floor and hit 8 of 24 (33.3 percent) from long range.
McMahon was pleased that LSU outrebounded Kansas State 43-25 and had 19 assists on 27 made field goals.
"I just thought we had a dominant performance on the glass," McMahon said. "I thought our players really competed at a high level and we are connected. That is what you want as a coach, no doubt about it, totally connected team effort."
Cam Carter (20 points), Jordan Sears (15), Vyctorius Miller (15 off the bench) and Daimion Collins (12 points) all scored in double figures, and reserve Corey Chest led the Tigers with 13 rebounds in 21 minutes.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are what coach Saah Nimley called "definitely a work in progress."
Charleston Southern (1-4) is coming off an 80-69 loss to VMI on Saturday in the Greenbrier Tip-Off at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
The Buccaneers trailed just 40-39 after shooting 51.6 percent from the floor in the first half, but they shot 35.5 percent in the second half. For the game they made just 8 of 19 free throws (42.1 percent).
"Guys have to come out of their shells and play to their ability," said Taje' Kelly, who had 10 points as one of three Charleston Southern scorers in double figures.
Reis Jones put up 21 points for the Buccaneers, and RJ Johnson scored 15.
