LSU rolls over McNeese

Shavon Coleman made the most of his first career start and exploded for 23 of his career-best 25 points during the first half as the LSU men's basketball team posted an impressive 73-48 victory over McNeese State last night at the Maravich Center.

The last time a LSU player posted a 20-point first half was Tasmin Mitchell with 23 versus Auburn back on Jan. 20, 2010. Coleman buried 10-of-16 from the floor and also secured 10 rebounds en route to his first career double-double.

LSU (2-0) had 10 of its 13 players who saw action score a point and shot 44.1 percent from the floor highlighted by a 16-for-33 effort during the first half. The Tigers claimed a 50-31 rebounding edge, which included 20 offensive boards.

Defensively, LSU limited McNeese State (1-1) to a 16-for-54 clip for a paltry 29.6 percent. The Cowboys only mustered one assist and were forced into 18 turnovers.

Anthony Hickey canned a trio of three-balls for nine points. He also dished out six assists and grabbed four rebounds.

Andrew Del Piero chipped in a career-high seven points, all during the second half. He also hauled in four rebounds in addition to a tallying a block and steal in his eight minutes of action.

Shane Hammink and Andre Stringer came away with six points each, while Jalen Courtney tacked on five points and a career-high seven rebounds.

The Cowboys were led by Kevin Hardy, who scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half.

LSU continues its six-game homestand to start the 2012-13 campaign next Tuesday versus Northwestern State. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. from the Maravich Center, and the game will be carried live on Cox Sports Television. Tickets can be purchased online at LSUtix.net or by calling the LSU Athletics Ticket Office at (225) 578-2184.