BATON ROUGE, La. (Interstat) — In a display of offensive firepower and defensive pressure, the LSU Tigers remained undefeated, overpowering the Omaha Mavericks 99-73 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night at a raucous Maravich Assembly Center.

A crowd of 6,829 watched as the Tigers improved to 5-0 on the young season, while the Mavericks fell to 2-4.

LSU seized control of the game from the opening tip, building a commanding 50-37 lead by halftime and never relenting. The Tigers’ offense operated with precision and balance, consistently finding high-percentage shots and capitalizing on Omaha’s mistakes.

The catalyst for the Tigers was a dominant backcourt performance. Max Mackinnon, a 6-foot-6 guard from Brisbane, Australia, led all scorers with 22 points, showcasing his versatility by connecting on multiple three-pointers and attacking the rim. He added three assists and a block in 28 minutes of action.

Feeding the offense was point guard Dedan Thomas of Las Vegas, who orchestrated the game masterfully. The 6-foot-1 Thomas recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists, consistently breaking down the Mavericks’ defense and setting up his teammates for easy baskets. His backcourt partnership with Mackinnon proved too much for Omaha to handle.

Inside, LSU’s size and athleticism were decisive. Michael Nwoko, a 6-foot-10 forward from Toronto, Canada, provided a powerful presence with 14 points and two blocks. Fellow big man Jalen Reed, standing 6-foot-10 from Jackson, Mississippi, added 11 points, as the Tigers consistently punished Omaha in the paint.

The Mavericks were led by the scoring of Lance Waddles, a Shreveport, Louisiana, native who returned to his home state to pour in 19 points. Khamani Cooper of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, while Tony Osburn from Fairfax, Missouri, chipped in 13 points.

Despite the individual efforts from Waddles and Cooper, Omaha struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against LSU’s aggressive defense. The Tigers forced numerous turnovers, converting them into transition opportunities that stretched the lead and silenced any potential Mavericks rallies.

LSU’s depth was also on full display. PJ Carter of Atlanta, Georgia, provided an instant offensive jolt, scoring 12 points in just nine minutes, all from beyond the three-point arc. Pablo Tamba of Malaga, Spain, filled the stat sheet with four assists and relentless defensive energy over 32 minutes.

The game’s outcome was rarely in doubt after the first 10 minutes. LSU used a 15-2 run midway through the first half, fueled by three-pointers from Mackinnon and Thomas, to build a double-digit lead it would not surrender. Every time Omaha showed a sign of life, the Tigers responded with a run of their own, maintaining a lead that ballooned to as many as 26 points in the second half.

The Tigers’ victory extended their strong start to the season, which includes dominant wins over Alcorn State, Florida International, New Orleans and Tarleton State. Omaha, coming off a home victory against Concordia, now looks to regroup on the road.

LSU next travels to Niceville, Florida, to face Drake on November 28. Omaha continues its challenging road stretch with a game against James Madison in Miami, Florida, on November 25.