LSU Forces 23 Turnovers in 40-Point Victory Over Louisiana Tech
The Tigers snapped their three-game losing streak in shooting while dominating the ball, securing their third straight win by a margin of 40 points or more.
By Luana Sato ·
LSU defeated Louisiana Tech 90-50 on Monday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, extending their winning streak to three games. The victory marked the first time in program history that the Tigers have won three consecutive contests by 40 points or more. LSU now leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs 14-1.
The decisive factor in the blowout was LSU's defensive pressure, which resulted in 23 forced turnovers. The Tigers converted those miscues into 38 points, a strategy that overwhelmed the Louisiana Tech offense throughout the game.
Guards Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent led the defensive effort, each recording five steals. Clark also scored nine points, hitting his first three-pointer of the season after missing his previous 14 attempts. Dent contributed 12 points and five assists, maintaining his efficient playmaking despite a single turnover in the first half.
Head coach Will Wade praised the defensive intensity, noting that the team's ability to disrupt the ball handler created easy scoring opportunities. Wade stated that Clark and Dent were tremendous defenders who helped the team win through their versatility and effort on the floor.
The defensive pressure was evident early in the game. Saliou Niang, a 6-foot-8 wing, disrupted passing lanes and recorded the game's first steal. He took the ball from Louisiana Tech forward Ethan Blackmon during a spin move near the free-throw line area.
In the first half, the Tigers recorded 10 steals and forced 11 turnovers while committing only three of their own. Power forward Mo Dioubate contributed to the defensive effort with a steal that led to a fast-break basket. Dioubate finished with 15 points before fouling out, including a technical foul during a brief scuffle with Blackmon.
Center Michael Ruzic continued his strong performance with 17 points. He capped off Dioubate's steal with a layup and a free throw after navigating around a defender. Ruzic has been a consistent scoring threat for the past three games.
Louisiana Tech struggled to find rhythm, failing to make a field goal until the 12:21 mark of the game. The Bulldogs finished with a shooting percentage of 18 for 57 from the field, as LSU's defense forced difficult perimeter shots.
LSU improved its three-point shooting compared to recent games, making 8 of 24 attempts. Backup shooting guard Draymond Green drained four of his ten three-point attempts, helping to balance the scoring attack.
The Tigers' next game is scheduled for Saturday against No. 14 Gonzaga at 2:30 p.m. at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, Washington.
