Two experienced vets on a team full of fresh faces led a sparkling opening effort for the LSU men's basketball team as the Tigers routed Louisiana-Monroe, 82-62, on Friday.
Junior guard Bo Spencer led LSU in points, scoring 23 with five assists. Senior forward Tasmin Mitchell logged a solid season debut with 15 points and five rebounds.
“I think we started off the season right with a victory,” Mitchell said. “We had some stuff that we did good and some stuff that we did bad. We’re going to look at this game and try to make a statement on what we’re going to do at practice and just get better.”
Sophomore forward Storm Warren arguably stole the spotlight from Mitchell and Spencer after recording a double-double in his first effort of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Warren also added four assists and three blocks on the night.
“I just came out and just played, and things went in my favor,” Warren said. “It’s just how the ball fell. I’m just going to have to take this and build off of it.”
LSU took command of the game early. The Tigers, led by Mitchell, opened the game on a 14-0 run and held ULM scoreless for nearly the first eight minutes of the contest.
“We started the game how we wanted to start it -- good and intense,” Spencer said. “We delivered the first hit. Like Tasmin said, we did some good things and some bad things during the game. Everyone has to get more conditioned, and we have to look forward to Indiana State on Monday.”
LSU plays host to Indiana State on Monday in the first game of the preseason NIT Tip-Off at 7 p.m.
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Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
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