Trendon Watford scored 18 points to lead five LSU players in double figures as the Tigers defeated Louisiana Tech 86-55 on Sunday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Javonte Smart and Cameron Thomas added 16 each, Darius Days scored 12 and Jalen Cook had 10 as LSU improved to 3-1.

Kenneth Lofton Jr. had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs, who lost their road opener after starting the season with three consecutive home victories.

The Tigers shot 54.2 percent from the floor, while holding Louisiana Tech to 28.8-percent shooting. LSU outscored the Bulldogs 26-12 from the free-throw line.

LSU made the first two field goals of the second half to extend its 19-point halftime lead to 47-24.

Jace Bass and Amorie Archibald made back-to-back 3-pointers to help get Tech within 17 at 49-32. But Smart answered with five of LSU's next six points as the Tigers rebuilt the lead to 55-32.

Cobe Williams made a 3-pointer and a layup during a 7-0 run that got the Bulldogs within 55-39 with 12:27 remaining.

Eric Gaines' layup ended the run, but JaColby Pemberton and Bass made back-to-back layups to get Tech within 57-43.

Thomas had two baskets during an 8-0 run that put LSU in control at 65-43 with 8:32 remaining.

The score was tied at five and eight before Days helped the Tigers get some separation. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start a 16-2 run that gave LSU a 24-10 edge.

The Bulldogs managed just two free throws during a seven-minute field-goal drought.

Lofton ended the drought with a layup and Kalob Ledoux followed with another layup that cut LSU's lead to 25-14 with 6:53 left before halftime.

Smart made a 3-pointer and assisted on a 3-pointer by Cook as the Tigers extended their lead to 39-18 as they made seven of their first 11 3-pointers.

Archibald made a 3-pointer and Tech got within 17 before Watford's jumper with six seconds left gave the Tigers a 43-24 halftime lead.

Lofton had 13 of the Bulldogs' 24 first-half points and also had 12 rebounds for a first-half double-double.

--Field Level Media