LSU 62 - Auburn 55: Undefeated in conference play

A win is a win.  A conference win is a conference win.  Yeah, we almost blew it, but we didn't blow it.  It's a win.

LSU went into halftime with a jaw-dropping 32-6 advantage.  Auburn scored 49 points in the second half, but was unable to complete a comeback.

The player of the game was Matt Derenbecker, who got his first career start, and rewarded Coach Johnson with 15 points, 8 rebounds (a team high) and 3 assists.  He was 3-7 from behind the arc, and two of those threes were absolutely huge makes that stopped a big Auburn run.  Derenbecker struggled for the first part of the season, but it appears that the light has come on.

Derenbecker started because of a stress reaction on Ralston Turner's foot.  Aaron Dotson has been really struggling as of late, so when Turner returns, don't be surprised if Derenbecker remains in LSU's starting five.

LSU's other big star on the evening was Garrett Green, who led LSU scoring with 18 points.  His 18 points came on a superb 9 for 11 shooting mark, and he also added 5 rebounds.  Auburn's defense had no answer for him.  Here's a stat for sore eyes: Garrett Green has averaged 10.3 points over his last six games.

Andre Stringer did not have a great shooting night, shooting just 2-11 from the arc, but he did finish with 9 points, adding 3 assists and 2 steals.

Storm Warren was limited to 7 minutes with tendonitis on his right Achilles, but was able to snag 6 rebounds for the Tigers.  LSU's quartet of big men, Warren, White, Green and Ludwig played good defense for LSU, especially in the first half, when Auburn was held to an absurd 6 points.  Chris Bass continues to play fine ball in a supporting role, leading the Tigers in assists with 4.

LSU needs just 1 win to match last year's conference total.  On Wednesday, the Tigers have a date with 11-3 Arkansas in the PMAC.  The Razorbacks are fresh off a win against Tennessee, and are looking like the best in the West.  Can LSU make it 2-0?  One thing's for certain- we all feel alot better about the Tigers now than we did before last night's game.