Will Baker and Jordan Wright combine for 33 points to lead LSU to 75-63 win over North Florida
LSU forward Jalen Reed (13) and forward Tyrell Ward (15) defend against North Florida guard Nate Lliteras (11) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Daimion Collins (10) shoots against North Florida’s Dorian James (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU guard Carlos Stewart (1) defends against North Florida guard Ametri Moss (55) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Jalen Reed (13) blocks the shot attempt of North Florida guard Ametri Moss (55) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU head coach Matt McMahon watches the team’s play against North Florida during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll gestures during the team’s NCAA college basketball game against LSU on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Jalen Reed (13) and forward Tyrell Ward (15) defend against North Florida guard Nate Lliteras (11) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Jalen Reed (13) and forward Tyrell Ward (15) defend against North Florida guard Nate Lliteras (11) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Daimion Collins (10) shoots against North Florida’s Dorian James (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU guard Carlos Stewart (1) defends against North Florida guard Ametri Moss (55) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU forward Jalen Reed (13) blocks the shot attempt of North Florida guard Ametri Moss (55) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
LSU head coach Matt McMahon watches the team’s play against North Florida during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll gestures during the team’s NCAA college basketball game against LSU on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Will Baker scored 18 points, Jordan Wright added 15 and LSU beat North Florida 75-63 on Friday night.
Baker and Wright were a combined 9-of-22 shooting from the floor. Wright made a pair of 3-pointers and made 5 of 6 from the line. Baker hit 8 of 10 free throws and had eight rebounds.
Tyrell Ward added 14 points and Mike Williams III had 11 for LSU (4-2). Jalen Reed grabbed nine rebounds and had five assists.
Jaylen Smith scored 13 points and Max Hrdlicka had nine, each with all of his points in the second half, to lead North Florida (4-3).
LSU never trailed, led 36-18 at the break and had a 30-point lead with 13:56 remaining. An 11-0 run, capped by consecutives 3s from Hrdlicka, pulled the Ospreys to 68-59 with 3:44 left. Ward answered with a 3-pointer and Williams a jumper to stretch the lead to 14 points with 2:08 to play.
LSU will look for its fourth straight win when it travels to Syracuse for a Tuesday matchup. North Florida plays at Iowa on Wednesday.
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