Tigers lasso a win from the visiting Cowboys, 83-72

LSU Basketball coming off of a sub-par performance in the Paradise Jam invited the McNeese State Cowboys to the PMAC for a post-Thanksgiving game. The gracious hosts as they were offered the Cowboys all the left over turkey knowing well that tryptophan would kick in. Propelled by Brian Bridewater’s career high scoring performance of 16 points, the Tigers lassoed an 83-72 win over McNeese.

Jarell Martin got the scoring started early in the first half knocking down a field goal from 18-feet out and two subsequent free throws. He then drained a trey before the rest of the team joined in on the party. With Josh Gray’s layup at the 15:49 mark, each of LSU’s starting five scored a point. At the second media timeout in the first half; Martin had seven points, Hornsby had 4, and Quarterman had 2.

McNeese started to get back into the game with back-to-back shots from beyond the arc cutting the score to 16-10. But then Keith Hornsby made a layup along with Bridgewater and Quarterman. Martin added two free throws, and Josh Gray and Jalyn Patterson each knocked down a trey giving the Tigers a 35-23 advantage.

The Cowboys again mounted a comeback and eventually tied it at the half at 39 as the tryptophan was wearing off. That is when the Tigers gave them another dose and took control of the game for good.

Martin started the second half much like the first with two quick field goals and two free throws. He with his 22 points and the rest of the Tiger offense gave LSU a 60-57 advantage at the second media timeout of the second half. Also at that point; Quarterman had 10 points and Bridgewater had 9 to lead the team. The Tiger offense kept rolling on and saw four players (Martin, Bridgwater, Quarterman, and Gray) having double digit points.

With the win LSU improved to 4-2 on the young season. They next face a UMass team who beat them 92-90 in the opening game last season in Amhurst. In that game Martin only played 33 seconds before suffering a leg injury. This season’s match up against the Minutemen is Tuesday night in the Deaf Dome.