LSU Goes For 20 Wins Today, Seeks Upset of No. 16 Kentucky In SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

An 2011 SEC Tournament semifinal bid won’t be the only thing at stake for the Lady Tigers today. LSU is seeking its 20th win of the season and to do it the Lady Tigers will have to execute against a 16th-ranked Kentucky team known for forcing turnovers and press defense. A win would give LSU the 22nd 20-win season in school history and the third in four seasons under head coach Van Chancellor. Every LSU team that reached 20 victories prior to NCAA play, reached the NCAA Tournament that season.

LSU has won four in a row over Kentucky in SEC Tournament play and the Lady Tigers are 7-2 all-time against the Wildcats at SEC’s. LSU and UK are meeting in the SEC Tournament for the

first time since March 8, 2008 when the Lady Tigers won 66-49 in the semifinals here in Nashville. LSU will try to avenge a heartbreaking 49-47 regular season loss to the Wildcats in Lexington. Brittany Henderson made a game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds left for UK.

Don’t forget to tune into Fox Sports Net at 2:30 p.m. CT for tipoff. If you are out of market, you can watch it on ESPN3.com. LSU heads to the arena in just over an hour. We will have more from you courtside later on Day 2 of the 2011 SEC Tournament.


Posted by Bill Martin  

Katherine Graham Becomes 25th Lady Tiger in School History with 500 Rebounds, Passes 700 Points

As part of LSU’s record setting defensive performance against Alabama, senior guard Katherine Graham reached a milestone of her own. Graham, a member of the 2011 SEC All-Defensive Team, became the 25th Lady Tiger in school history and the second this season to eclipse the 500-rebound mark for her career. Graham came into the contest with 497 rebounds in her 112 previous games. She grabbed seven in the victory over the Tide and now stands at 504. LaSondra Barrett passed the milestone last month.

Graham also went over 700 points for her career.  She stood at 699 entering Thursday’s play and she finished with eight points.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Final: LSU 60, Alabama 36; Lady Tigers Advance To SEC Quarterfinals and face Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. CT Friday

It’s a final in Bridgestone Arena. LSU scores 60 and Alabama only reaches 36 points, tying for the fewest ever in an SEC Tournament game.

The nine points by Alabama in the first half tied for the fewest allowed by LSU in any half in school history. It was the fewest ever by any SEC opponent.

Lady Tigers take on Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. CT Friday.

Posted by Bill Martin  

LSU 26, Alabama 9 Halftime

Lady Tigers dominant first half has LSU up 26-9 on Alabama at halftime in the SEC Tournament. Alabama shot 4-of-25 from the floor while LSU was 42.9 percent. LaSondra Barrett led the way with nine points. We are researching to see if that is the lowest halftime total by a team in SEC Tournament history.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Exceptional defense by LSU has Lady Tigers up 18-5 on Alabama with 7:56 left in first half

LSU’s stellar defense has shutdown Alabama through 12 minutes. The Tide missed their first 11 shots from the floor and finally got on the scoreboard at 10:17 mark. LaSondra Barrett has seven points. LSU up 18-5 with 7:56 in half.

Posted by Bill Martin  

LSU 5, Alabama 0 15:44 First Half at SEC Tournament

The Tide has missed its first six shots and LSU’s defense is off to a good start. LaSondra Barrett converted a three-point play on a layup and foul shot and Adrienne Webb makes a layup. Lady Tigers out to 5-0 lead.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Tipoff Time: (7) LSU vs. (10) Alabama 2011 SEC Tournament First Round

Just underway in Nashville, tune into Fox Sports Net now or the LSU Sports Radio Network on 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Less Than 10 Minutes Until Tipoff in Knoxville: LSU vs. No. 4 Tennessee on ESPNU

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Courtside here in a jammed pack Thompson-Boling Arena. The National Anthem is complete and we are getting close to tipoff as LSU closes its regular season against No. 4 Tennessee on ESPNU. The Lady Tigers will go with the usual starting lineup of G Katherine Graham, PG Latear Eason, F Taylor Turnbow, G Adrienne Webb and F LaSondra Barrett. Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt has elected to start two of her seniors – Angie Bjorklund and Sydney Smallbone – as the Lady Vols celebrate Senior Day.

There are plenty of SEC Tournament scenarios with games starting now around the league. LSU can finish no lower than seventh in the standings and will play next Thursday in Nashville. We will keep you posted as the day goes on. The bracket will be unveiled tonight.

Posted by Bill Martin  

Lady Tiger Scoring Defense Now Seventh in Nation, Holds Eighth Straight SEC Opponent to 55 Points or Less for First Time in School History

Eason

After holding an eighth straight opponent to 55 points or less in the 54-51 overtime win over South Carolina, LSU’s scoring defense moved up to seventh in the nation (third best among BCS schools). It’s the longest such overall streak since the 2007 Final Four team held eight straight opponents to 55 points or less (final SEC game, three SEC Tournament Games, Four NCAA Tournament games). However, the 2010-11 team is the first one in school history to hold eight straight SEC opponents to 55 points or less. LSU has held all 15 of its SEC opponents below its scoring average. The school record for consecutive games of holding an opponent (overall) to 55 points or less is nine set twice -- once by the 2006-07 squad and also once by the 2004-05 team.

1

Marist

27

25-2

1338

49.6

2

Connecticut

28

27-1

1402

50.1

3

Manhattan

27

19-8

1354

50.1

4

Green Bay

27

26-1

1387

51.4

 

Fairfield

27

17-10

1387

51.4

6

West Virginia

28

21-7

1456

52.0

7

LSU

29

18-11

1516

52.3

Posted by Bill Martin  

Marie joins Meek and the Mercury

PHOENIX- The Phoenix Mercury has signed free agents Marie Ferdinand-Harris and Nakia Sanford, the club announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We wanted to get better this offseason, as every team wants to do,” head coach Corey Gaines said. “We decided to go with veterans and players who are established and proven contributors in this league.”

“These two signings make us one of the deepest teams in the league,” 2009 WNBA MVP Diana Taurasi said. “Marie is one of the most explosive scorers of all time, and will fit right in with our running style. Nakia will give us a tough, relentless attitude to go along with her rebounding and finishing moves around the basket. We are all very excited for a promising season.”

Entering her 10th WNBA season, Ferdinand-Harris joins the Mercury after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. The 5-9 guard holds career averages of 10.2 points, 1.8 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 41.0 percent from the field.

“Marie is a scoring veteran who fits our style and will give us firepower in the half court and in transition,” Gaines said about the versatile scorer.

The three-time WNBA All-Star was originally selected eighth overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Utah Starzz, who relocated to San Antonio in 2003. She holds the Silver Stars’ franchise record with 246 steals in six seasons with the club despite missing the 2006 season due to the birth of her son, Cedrick.

A 2001 graduate of Louisiana State University, Ferdinand-Harris will join fellow LSU alum Temeka Johnson (2005) in the Mercury’s backcourt. One of only three LSU players to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in her career, Ferdinand-Harris was inducted into the LSU Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and was also honored as one of the Southeastern Conference “Greats” that same year.

WNBA Release: http://on.nba.com/f6ZCOs

Posted by Bob Starkey