LSU cruises into the second round of NCAA Tournament with win over St. Bonaventure

The LSU Tigers defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 76-61, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. 

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The LSU Tigers defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 76-61, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

It looked like the Bonnies were primed to take down the Tigers early in a matchup of contrasting styles. LSU had scored just two points seven minutes into the game and was down, 4-2. Sophomore forward Trendon Watford had picked up his second foul and was forced to the bench.

Just two minutes later, junior guard Javonte Smart made LSU’s first 3-point basket and was immediately hit with a technical foul for taunting. He, too, had to sit with two fouls.

LSU finally seized control of the game in the latter part of the first half and led at halftime, 31-22.

The Tigers shot just 39% from the field in the first half. However, they held St. Bonaventure to just 23% shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes.

LSU continued its dominance from late in the first half to the entire second half. The Tigers looked like a completely different team, and freshman guard Cameron Thomas took over.

Thomas struggled from the field for much of the game but made his impact driving to the basket. Thomas went 11 of 13 from the line, leading the Tigers with 27 points. He was seven of 18 from the field.

The Tigers surprisingly dominated the Bonnies on the glass, outrebounding St. Bonaventure 49-30. St, Bonaventure’s star big man, Osun Osunniyi, scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Watford, junior forward Darius Days, and sophomore guard Aundre Hyatt all finished with double-doubles for the Tigers.

LSU advances to the second round on Monday, where it will likely face No. 1 seed Michigan, which is up big on Texas Southern at halftime.