BATON ROUGE, La. (Interstat) — In a dominant display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the LSU Tigers overwhelmed the New Orleans Privateers 93-58 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at a near-capacity Maravich Assembly Center.

A crowd of 6,505 watched as the Tigers improved to 2-0 on the young season, while the Privateers fell to 2-1.

The game was never in doubt, as LSU seized control from the opening tip and never relented. The Tigers built a 44-32 lead by halftime and then poured it on in the second half, outscoring New Orleans 49-26 to cruise to the 35-point victory.

The story of the game was a stark contrast in offensive execution. LSU operated with precision, scoring 93 points on 75 possessions for an elite offensive rating of 123.5. New Orleans, conversely, struggled mightily, mustering only 58 points on 73 possessions for an offensive rating of just 79.4.

LSU’s offensive attack was balanced and potent. Michael Nwoko, a 6-foot-10 forward from Toronto, Canada, was a force in the paint, leading all scorers with 22 points in just 20 minutes of action. He was complemented by Jalen Reed of Jackson, Mississippi, who added 15 points and was a constant presence inside.

The Tigers’ ball movement was crisp, led by point guard Dedan Thomas of Las Vegas, Nevada, who dished out eight assists to go with nine points. The team’s length and athleticism were also on full display, with Marquel Sutton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, scoring 15 points and Pablo Tamba of Malaga, Spain, contributing 10 points.

Defensively, LSU smothered the Privateers, who shot a frigid 29.9 percent from the floor, making only 20 of their 67 field goal attempts. New Orleans was also inefficient from beyond the arc, connecting on just 6 of 25 three-point attempts. Coleton Benson of Austin, Texas, was the lone Privateer to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points.

The Tigers dominated the interior, outscoring New Orleans 42-28 in the paint and outrebounding them on the offensive glass, 16 to 11. LSU also capitalized on its free-throw opportunities, making 21 of 28 attempts, while New Orleans went 12 for 17 from the line.

The game’s opening sequence set the tone. After winning the opening tip, LSU’s Nwoko scored the first basket on a layup just 20 seconds into the contest. The Tigers then forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, leading to a prolonged offensive set that culminated in a Tamba tip-in, establishing an early lead they would never surrender.

LSU’s victory was a comprehensive team effort, reinforcing its status as a formidable opponent early in the season. The Tigers will look to continue their winning ways when they host Florida International on Thursday. New Orleans, meanwhile, will aim to rebound from its first loss when it travels to face Tulane on Friday.