Pointer Propels Tigers To Last Second Victory Over LMU

Photo By: LSU/SEC

12/21/2020
LSU Sports Information
By: Tanner Craft


​LAS VEGAS — The LSU women's basketball team finished a two-game slate at the Duel in the Desert with a win over Loyola Marymount on Sunday inside the Thomas and Mack Center. The Tigers finished strong with a 54-52 victory. 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 2-4, and the Lions fall to 1-3.
Senior Khayla Pointer needed nine points to reach 1,000 career points coming into the game. With 4:39 left in the third quarter, she reached that historic milestone and becomes the 34th Tiger to achieve that feat. She finished with 15 points and an assist. Pointer hit the game-winner with 2.3 seconds left in the game
Senior Faustine Aifuwa collected another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was her fourth of the season and the 13th of her career. Senior Awa Trasi had a strong outing as well collecting 15 points, four rebounds and two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Just over three minutes into the ballgame, Faustine Aifuwa got the Tigers on the board with a layup making the score, 2-0. LSU held the two-point lead until the first quarter media timeout.
• Out of the timeout, LMU tied it up at two with a jumper. The Lions would continue to add to their lead, finishing the quarter on a 13-2 run.
• LSU started off the second quarter with a jumper made by sophomore Dominique Davis closing the gap to 13-6. LMU promptly responded, but the Tigers quickly took advantage of the momentum going on a 6-0 run bringing the score to 15-12.
• Before the second quarter media timeout, LMU widened the gap momentarily, but LSU responded again.
• LMU finished on a 13-4 run, and LSU trailed 28-16 at the half.
• Trasi started the third quarter with a bang, knocking down a three-pointer. Senior Rakell Spencer added two more with a layup bringing the score to 28-21. Trasi made two free throws to bring the Tigers within five. 
• LMU made a layup, but Trasi collected a steal and added a layup of her own. LSU trailed 30-25 when LMU called a timeout.
• Out of the timeout, Trasi continued her successful night with a made jumper. Pointer brought the Tigers within two with a jumper bringing the score to 31-29.
• LSU kept trying to close the gap, but LMU was able to stay ahead of the curve fending off the Tigers' surge. 
• LSU tied it up at 40 off of two made free throws from sophomore Tiara Young with four seconds to go in the third quarter. LMU added a late free throw, leading 41-40 to end the third quarter.
• Pointer got the fourth quarter started with a jumper taking the lead 42-41. After LMU retook the lead, with the help of Pointer and Davis, the Tigers took the 46-45 lead. LMU was able to keep pace with LSU, but the Tigers maintained the lead at 52-49 with 2:36 remaining.
• After LMU tied it up at 52 with a free throw, Pointer scored with a layup giving the Tigers a 54-52 victory.

Up Next
The Tigers will return to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center after their Christmas break to take on their first SEC opponent, the Auburn Tigers. The matchup will be streamed on SEC Network Plus on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) at 6 p.m. CT. As always you can listen to the Voice of the Lady Tigers, Patrick Wright, broadcasting on 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.