Chaney scores 14 as LSU routs New Orleans

Published 10:54 pm Sunday, December 30, 2007

BATON ROUGE (AP) — New Orleans had more turnovers than baskets. LSU barely made any mistakes at all.

The Lady Privateers (7-5) committed a season-high 31 turnovers, which No. 8 LSU (10-3) converted into 36 points in a 73-46 victory Sunday.

‘‘We only had five turnovers, which is unbelievable,’’ LSU coach Van Chancellor said.

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The Lady Tigers’ turnovers tied a team record low; the assists included a season-high seven by Erica White.

Quianna Chaney scored 14 points and RaShonta LeBlanc 12 to lead LSU. Reserve forward Kristin Morris had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double.

‘‘Kristin Morris played really well for us,’’ Chancellor said.

Ten of LSU’s 11 players scored while only one played more than 25 minutes.

‘‘It kind of loosens us up when we’re able to get turnovers and score easy baskets,’’ LeBlanc said.

New Orleans scored the first basket of the game, and never led again. LSU answered with a 13-0 run in the next 3:38 and led 40-24 at halftime.

Le’Della English led the Lady Privateers with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

LSU won its first game in two tries without All-America center Sylvia Fowles, who had knee surgery Dec. 21.

‘‘We ran good offense, got good shots and knocked down those shots,’’ LeBlanc said.

‘‘Now that (Fowles) is gone … we’ve got to take more perimeter shots.’’

LSU shot 42.3 percent from the floor. Mesha Williams, who started in Fowles’ place, scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.

The Lady Tigers have now won three straight against their in-state rival and lead the all-time series 19-5.

The Lady Privateers, who outrebounded LSU 44-34, can be proud of their hustle, coach Amy Champion said.

‘‘You get focused and get excited to play a top-10 team, but of course, when you come in and turn the ball over as much as we did, it’s pretty disappointing,’’ she said.