Lady Tigers Hoops hold scrimmage

LSU’s women’s basketball team continued to prepare of the 2007-08 season on Thursday afternoon with the only scrimmage of the preseason at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

“We did some good things and showed some areas where we need to improve,” LSU first-year head coach Van Chancellor said. “But, I am happy with where we are right now.”

The Lady Tigers battled the Gold Team, a group that consists of male practice players, in three periods, including two 20 minute halves and one with a 15 minute running clock.

Senior guard Quianna Chaney led LSU with 13 points, including eight points in the first 20 minute period. Fellow senior Marian Whitfield, junior Kristen Morris and sophomore Allison Hightower each had 10 total points, while senior Sylvia Fowles added nine points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Tigers defeated the Gold Team 37-25 in the first 20 minutes. Fowles scored all nine of her point in 18 minutes of action to go with six rebounds. Chaney had eight points and Whitfield added six points.

LSU outscored the Gold Team, 31-25, in the second 20 minute period. Hightower led the way with seven points, while senior Khalilah Mitchell had six points and seniors Erica White and Chaney each added five points.

The Gold Team won the final period, 19-16. Morris led the way for LSU in the period with six points.

LSU was without seniors RaShonta Leblanc (shoulder) and Ashley Thomas (thumb) in the scrimmage, but did play the 11 other roster members.

“This scrimmage was to give our players a change to show me what they can do,” Chancellor added. “Being a new coach to this team we played every combination we could today.”

On the day LSU shot 40.7 percent from the floor and held the Gold Team to 36.2 percent. The Lady Tigers also connected on 6 of 19 (.316) from three-point land and had 19 assists and 12 steals.

LSU opens the exhibition schedule on Wednesday when they host Lake Trucking in the Maravich Center at 7 p.m. CT. The Lady Tigers them host the Houston Jaguars in the final exhibition game on Nov. 5 before opening the regular season against Samford in the WNIT on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. CT.