LSU Tigers at Saint Joseph's Hawks

LSU handles St. Joseph's 82-65

The Associated Press

Jordan Mickey added 14 points for the Tigers (4-1), who will face No. 21 Memphis in a semifinal Friday.

"They're a very tough basketball team," LSU coach Johnny Jones said of Memphis. "We know that. We're going to have to do a tremendous job taking care of the basketball. Making sure we can contain those guys. They're extremely quick, and they can shoot it. We're playing a very dangerous team."

St. Joseph's (2-2) got 21 points from Ronald Roberts Jr., who became the 51st player in school history to reach 1,000 points. The Hawks will play in Friday's consolation round against Siena.

"Credit obviously to LSU," St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli said. "They had a complete game. When we talked about and prepared for this, we felt we would have to pitch a complete game. That means every loose ball, walk to the foul line, make your free throws, not miss a defensive assignment. And we didn't do any of those things."

LSU took command early on, leading by as many as 18 before taking a 46-30 lead at the half.

"We've grown a great deal, but we've certainly got a long ways to go," Jones said.

Six Tigers, including Stringer and Shavon Coleman with 8 apiece, scored at least 6 points during the opening half.

After falling behind by 21 early in the second, St. Joseph's got back within 54-44 after 9 minutes into the half on a jumper by Langston Galloway. St. Joseph's leading scorer (18.3 points a game) finished with eight.

"That's my fault," Martelli said. "I spoke to him once about it, like this wasn't the Super Bowl of a basketball game. It was a nice story of him playing against his hometown team. But he's such a beautiful person, he took it as more than that."

St. Joseph's made just 12 of 26 free throws.

How can I watch LSU vs. Saint Joseph's?

• TV Channel: LSU at Saint Joseph's 2021 College Basketball, week 4, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo Free trial.
  Try Vidgo for free.