Freshman Cam Thomas scored a game-high 21 points for his third consecutive 20-point game to start his career as LSU rolled to a 96-43 victory against Southeastern Louisiana on Monday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Thomas, who had 27 points and 25 points in his first two games, made 4 of 8 3-pointers and 9 of 10 free throws as the Tigers (2-1) won their home opener.

Trendon Watford scored 13 of his 20 points as LSU raced to 50-18 halftime lead. Mwani Wilkinson finished with 12 points, Darius Days scored 11 and Javonte Smart had 10.

Keon Clergeot scored 17 and Joe Kasperzyk added 13 to lead the Lions (0-3).

LSU allowed an average of 83 points in its first two games as Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Saint Louis University shot a combined 53.1 percent on field goals and 45.1 percent on 3-pointers.

But the Tigers' defense was much more effective against the Lions, whose early-season shooting struggles continued.

Southeastern, which shot below 40 percent from the floor and made just 5 of 49 3-pointers in its first two games, shot 22 percent (13 of 59) against the Tigers, making 5 of 29 3-pointers (17.2 percent).

The Lions are in the midst of a 10-game road trip to start the season, the longest road trip in program history.

Southeastern took its only lead of the game at 4-3 lead before LSU went on a 13-0 run to seize control.

Nick Caldwell's jumper ended the run and Kasperzyk added consecutive 3-pointers to get the Lions within 23-12.

But Southeastern would make just one field goal in the final 8:22 of the half.

Watford's 3-pointer pushed the Tigers' lead to 31-12 and LSU continued to expand the lead as Watford's jumper with four seconds left pushed the margin to 50-18 at halftime.

That was the Tigers' largest halftime lead in 12 years.

LSU made 52.9 percent (18 of 34) of its first-half shots and Southeastern made 17.2 percent (5 of-29). The Tigers had a 26-18 rebounding edge.

--Field Level Media