In its only exhibition game before next week’s season opener, Matt McMahon wanted to see three things from his rebuilt LSU basketball team.
McMahon wanted the Tigers to play with energy, be relentless and shoot the ball consistently in the matchup with NAIA member Louisiana Christian in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Monday.
While it was obviously an overmatched opponent, he can only hope LSU’s 132-44 blowout of Louisiana Christian is a sign of things to come in his second season.
It took just a few minutes for LSU to achieve McMahon’s main pregame goals with a week left before Monday’s opener with Mississippi Valley State in the PMAC.
“Really pleased with our guys’ unselfishness tonight,” McMahon said. “I wasn’t really worried about the score, I just liked the look of our team — the athleticism, the size and the unselfishness. And, of course, the shots made.”
Tyrell Ward (5 of 7), Mwani Wilkinson (5 of 8) and Jordan Wright (4 of 7) combined to go 14 of 22 from beyond the arc as the Tigers knocked down 19 of 29 for 65.5% for the game.
“We got some open looks,” McMahon said, “but you’ve got to step up and knock them down.”
The Tigers were red-hot from the field while piling up a 33-10 lead over the first 10 minutes, then cruised to a 66-24 halftime advantage.
LSU buried 26 of 35 field-goal attempts (74.3%) in the first half, which included a 10 of 14 showing (71.4%) from beyond the arc.
McMahon’s team was equally impressive sharing the ball early, producing 20 assists on 26 made baskets in the first 20 minutes.
Ward came off the bench early and heated up quickly, hitting 5 of 6 from long range. Wright was 3 of 3 and Wilkinson 2 of 3 to build the large halftime lead.
It was much more of the same in the second half.
LSU poured it on and built its largest lead at 88 points — which turned out to be the final margin — on a three-point play by freshman Corey Chest with 47.9 seconds remaining.
The Tigers shot 73.1% for the game and finished with 37 assists on 49 made baskets.
Seven players scored in double figures. Wright had 22 points to lead the way, while Ward — who had 17 points in just 11 minutes in the first half — finished with 19.
Wilkinson added 17, Daimion Collins 15, Will Baker 14, Carlos Stewart 12 and Jalen Reed 11. Stewart also had a team-high eight assists, while freshman Mike Williams had seven.
On the other end of the floor, Louisiana Christian shot just 24.2% for the game and had 21 turnovers in the face of the LSU defense.
“We were missing some guys, but all in all it was good for us to get out here and shoot the ball well and play unselfish basketball,” McMahon said. “We’re trying to do some things a little bit differently on the defensive side of the ball that really benefit our personnel better.”
McMahon had just nine scholarship players available for the game. Jalen Cook still hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA as a two-time transfer, while Derek Fountain (stomach), Trae Hannibal (illness) and Hunter Dean (shoulder) were unavailable.