Vyctorius Miller scored 17 points, and host LSU took control midway through the second half on its way to an 86-70 victory over New Orleans on Sunday afternoon in Baton Rouge, La.
Cam Carter had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Corey Chest added 12 points and 10 boards, Dji Bailey scored 12 points and Jordan Sears 10 for the Tigers (10-2).
James White had 24 points, 11 rebounds and three steals, Dae Dae Hunter scored 14 points and MJ Thomas had 11 before fouling out for the Privateers (2-9), who lost their fifth consecutive game.
The lead changed hands four times and the score was tied twice during the first 5:07 of the second half before Carter, Bailey, Curtis Givens III and Miller each made a 3-pointer during an 18-0 run that gave the Tigers a 56-38 lead.
White made one free throw to end a nearly six-minute scoring drought for New Orleans, but LSU answered with four more points to open a 21-point lead. Thomas’ basket ended the Privateers’ 6 1/2-minute field-goal drought midway through the second half.
The Tigers led by 22 points twice before the Privateers crept within 15 on a layup by Jamond Vincent with 7:35 remaining.
Chest and Daimion Collins answered with consecutive dunks, and LSU maintained a comfortable margin the rest of the way.
Collins made a field goal for the first points of the game and LSU had a 4-1 lead before going cold. Four Privateers made baskets during an 11-0 run that gave them an eight-point lead.
Bailey’s basket stopped the run and ended a nearly five-minute scoring drought for the Tigers. Miller followed with another field goal.
Four LSU players scored during a 9-2 run that tied the score at 17, and the score was tied again at 19, 21, 23 and 25. Carter broke the last tie by making a 3-pointer, before New Orleans scored four straight to take a one-point lead.
Carter’s layup with 20 seconds remaining put the Tigers back on top 30-29 at halftime.
–Field Level Media
