WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Jeanne Kenney scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting to lead No. 20 Louisiana State past Wichita State 64-56 on Monday night.
LaSondra Barrett added 16 points for the Tigers (1-0), seven in the decisive final 7 minutes. LSU shot 61.5 percent but took 26 fewer shots, due in part to 22 turnovers.
Wichita State (1-1) was led by Jessica Diamond's 16 points, while Haleigh Lankster added 13. The Shockers were 11 of 37 from 3-point range, smashing the school record for 3-point attempts by 13.
It was the LSU debut for coach Nikki Caldwell, a former Tennessee teammate of Wichita State coach Jody Adams.
LSU led by four at halftime and 39-36 with 15 minutes to play. But the Shockers put together an 8-0 run as Kelsey Jacobs' put-back was followed by consecutive 3-pointers by Diamond. Wichita State led 44-39 with 12:44 remaining.
Just more than a minute later, LSU answered with a 7-0 run capped by Barrett's rebound and basket that provided a 48-46 lead.
It was 50-50 when LSU started to take control behind two big plays. Kenney swished a wide open 3-pointer, and Barrett soon followed with a three-point play off a transition layup. The Tigers led 56-51 with 5:36 remaining, and Wichita State never got closer than three points again.
With LSU leading 60-56 and 57.8 seconds left, Barrett beat the shot clock with a post jumper while being fouled. The three-point play gave the Tigers a 63-56 lead, their first seven-point advantage of the game.
Wichita State stayed with the Tigers in the first half, launching perimeter shots against LSU's extended zone defense.
The Shockers were 7 of 22 from the 3-point line in the half, just two shy of the school record for 3-point attempts in a game.
The Tigers' Adrienne Webb hit a jumper and then a layup at the buzzer, giving LSU a 35-31 halftime lead.