Author Archives: LRN News

03.07.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast March 7

Sunday evening former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels announced he was transferring to LSU. In three years with the Sun Devils, he threw for more than six-thousand yards with 32 touchdown passes. Daniels is also a threat with his legs, rushing for nearly 13-hundred yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns. His addition gives the Tigers even more depth in a quarterback room that returns Myles Brennan and Garrett Nussmeier, and welcomes freshman Walker Howard. He is the 14th transfer signed since the hiring of Brian Kelly.

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LSU President William Tate says no one at the university knew of any prior sexual misconduct allegations against running backs coach Frank Wilson. Former LSU associate athletic director Sharon Lewis claims Wilson exposed himself to her several years ago. The allegations are part of a federal lawsuit against the school. Tate was asked about them today.

Cut 15 (11) “…LSU officials.”

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The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

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After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2 pm.

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The LSU women dropped to ninth in the AP rankings after their loss to Kentucky in the SEC tournament. Now the Tigers will have to wait until this Sunday to find out if they maintain their position as a top-two seed when the NCAA Women’s Championship bracket is announced.

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Arch-rivals Southern and Grambling will face off in the opening round of the SWAC men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at 3 pm.

03.07.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed for the 2022 legislative session that begins a week from today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Health reported that coronavirus cases increased by 535 over the weekend. COVID-related deaths also increased by 31. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 1.2 million reported cases in Louisiana with 16,785 people ultimately losing their battle with the virus. LDH also reports that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents accounted for 61 percent of new cases and 56 percent of all death from Feb. 17 to Feb. 23.

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Since last week the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline has risen by 40 cents and there’s a possibility that the U-S could break the record of $4.11 set in July of 2008. David Dismukes, executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies says the Russian/Ukrainian conflict isn’t the only thing driving up prices.

Cut 7 (13) “…production targets.”

Louisiana currently averages $3.72 per gallon for regular gasoline.

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David Rester, Jr. of Vidalia, who’s wanted in connection with the March 3rd murder of Marl Wayne Smith in Washington Parish has been arrested after a multi-state, parish, and county crime spree. Rester is also wanted in St. Tammany for the physical and sexual assault of a convenience store clerk that took place during a robbery. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says prior to this rampage, Rester did not have a criminal record.

Cut 10 (07) “…that yet.”

03.07.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast March 7

After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2pm.  The Tigers finished fifth in the SEC at 9-9 in conference play, with five of those losses by five points or less. Coach Will Wade says it was good to close the regular season with a win in the clutch.

Cut 17 (17) “…21 times.”

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LSU Baseball had a rough weekend, dropping two of three in Houston at the Shriners Classic. The Tigers bats, which had been talking loudly before the trip to Texas, scored just 11 runs in the series. After topping Oklahoma 5-4 in the opener, they were drubbed by the Longhorns 1-6 and committed five errors in a 6-9 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night to cleanse the palette before a weekend series against Bethune-Cookman.

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The Nicholls men’s basketball team won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with 92-85 win over U-N-0. Senior Ty Gordon scored a career-high 36 points and Colonels Coach Austin Claunch says Gordon gets his vote for Southland Player of the Year…

Cut 18 (10) “…special talent.”

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The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

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The Pelicans saw their four-game win streak come to an end in Denver last night with a 130-138 overtime loss to the Nuggets. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 38 points and nine assists. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic went off for 30 points in the fourth quarter and OT on his way to a 46 point, 12 rebound, 11 assist triple-double. The Pels visit Memphis on Wednesday night.

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03.04.22
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5:30 LRN Newscast March 4

We’re all painfully aware of the rise in prices at the pump. Now get ready for bigger bills at the grocery store too. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Shreveport Police have charged 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student and basketball star Devin Meyers. Sgt. Angie Willhite says the two had an ongoing dispute that tragically ended in violence. She credits the public for their assistance in helping them to make a quick arrest.

Cut 8 (07) “…unspeakable.”

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New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has introduced a bill for the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays. With all of the major financial, educational, and environmental issues facing the state, why should legislators focus on holidays? Willard believes the Legislature can deal with both. He says he has other bills that focus on innovation, workforce development, and business recruitment, but this was something he could not ignore.

Cut 11 (11) “…economic development.”

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If Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has his way, single-use plastic bags at retailers will no longer be allowed in Louisiana in an effort to reduce the ever-growing trash problem. Connick says he’s tired of seeing plastic bags on the side of roads and he’s introduced legislation.

Cut 12 (10) “…if possible”

The upcoming legislative session begins on March 14th.

03.04.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast March 4

The LSU Tigers have started play at the Shriners College Classic in Houston’s Minute Maid Park, taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in the first of three games this weekend. The Tigers will also face top-ranked Texas and Baylor, providing LSU with its biggest tests of the young season. Blake Money took the hill against Oklahoma. He’s 2-0 so far, with a 0-point-0 ERA and 17 strikeouts in only 14 innings. All three games air on the MLB Network.

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In Nashville, LSU women’s basketball opens play in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The second-seeded Tigers tip-off against Kentucky at 6pm. Both teams are riding lengthy win streaks, with LSU coming in as winners of eight straight, and the Wildcats have taken their last seven in a row. The Tigers beat Kentucky 78-69 back on January 30 at the P-MAC. LSU last won the conference tournament championship in 2003.

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LSU’s men will wrap up the regular season Saturday with a home matinee against 25th-ranked Alabama. The Tigers are eighth in the conference standings, tied with Texas A&M and Mississippi State, so a loss could drop them as low as tenth. Tip-off is at 11 am.

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The New Orleans Pelicans have been the NBA’s hottest team since returning from the All-Star break. New Orleans has won three in a row, over the Suns, Lakers, and Kings, and have done so in convincing fashion, winning by an average of better than 24 points per game. The Pels will try to tie their season’s best by picking up win number four against the Utah Jazz tonight at the Smoothie King Center. Willie Green says defense has been the key to their success.

Cut 21 (12) “…looked very good.”

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Saints general manager Mickey Loomis spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. Loomis says that finding a quarterback is something the team looks at with a sense of urgency and expressed his interest in re-signing free agent Jameis Winston. Winston led the Saints to a 5-2 start with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions before his season ended with a torn ACL. Loomis also said the Saints need to add depth at receiver, even with the expected return of All-Pro Michael Thomas.

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03.04.22
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1:30 LRN Newscast March 4

Triple-A reports another large jump in gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up 15-cents from yesterday to $3.63. The price for a gallon of diesel gasoline has surpassed four dollars. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says not only is the price at the pump skyrocketing so will the cost of fertilizer because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cut 4 (09) “…challenging times.”

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Shreveport Police have arrested 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. Shreveport Police Sgt Angie Willhite says they were able to execute a search warrant on Pearson’s residence and located the murder weapon they believed was used to shoot Meyers at least five times in his back after an ongoing dispute between the two.

Cut 7 (12) “…fleeing.”

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New Orleans State Representative Matthew Willard is introducing a bill at the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays. Over the last few years, the efforts to remove symbols, statues, and other honors for Confederates have intensified. Willard expects pushback from his colleagues but believes that the state cannot move forward for all of its citizens while holding on to a shameful past.

Cut 10 (12) “…back in history.”

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If Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has his way single-use plastic bags at retailers will no longer be allowed in Louisiana in an effort to reduce the ever-growing trash problem in Louisiana. Connick says he’s tired of seeing plastic bags littering the state and he’s introducing legislation.

Cut 12 (11) “…if possible”

The upcoming legislative session begins March 14th.

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03.04.22
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11:30 LRN Newscast March 4

On Thursday, we reported on a reduction in flights in and out of Alexandria International Airport, due to a shortage of pilots. What is to be done about the problem? AEX executive director Sandra McQuain says there IS a plan underway to get more people into the cockpit.

Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”

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The state will transfer more than 600 people currently serving time at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder due to a major staffing shortage. In all, 602 inmates, or about 12 percent of Angola’s current population of 5100, will be moved. Department of Corrections Undersecretary Thomas Bickham said efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results.

Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”

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Triple-A reports another large jump in gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up 15-cents from yesterday to $3.63. The price for a gallon of diesel gasoline has surpassed four dollars. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the rising price for fuel will lead to higher prices for groceries as well.

Cut 3 (08) “..from now”

Strain also expects more family gardens in an effort to save a few bucks at the grocery store.

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Shreveport Police have arrested 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. Shreveport Police Sgt Angie Willhite says investigators were able to talk with witnesses and obtain surveillance footage quickly after the Wednesday shooting.

Cut 6 (11) “…a $350-thousand.”

03.04.22
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11:40 LRN Sportscast March 4

LSU women’s basketball opens play in the SEC tournament quarterfinals tonight at 6 pm, attempting to earn their first championship since 2003. The Tigers will face the Kentucky Wildcats, who extended their winning streak to six games with yesterday’s win over Mississippi State. Kentucky is led by two-time All-American Rhyne Howard, who averaged 20 points per game and earned First Team All-SEC honors this season for the fourth time. Kim Mulkey shares her thoughts on the resurgent Wildcats…

Cut 19 (19) “…good now.”

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In the opening round of the men’s Sun Belt Conference tournament Thursday, the U-L Ragin Cajuns topped Texas-Arlington, 67-64 but UL-Monroe fell to Arkansas State, 77-82. The Cajuns will face top-seeded Texas State Saturday at 11:30 am.

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The third-ranked LSU baseball team gets its first big test of the young season this weekend as they face Oklahoma, top-ranked Texas, and Baylor in the Shriners College Classic in Houston. LSU has won five in a row and is 8-and-1 on the season. Kendall Rogers, of D-1 baseball-dot-com, says the Tigers will have a chance to show that they really are a top ten team…

Cut 17 (19) “…the season”

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Also on the diamond, Southern starts a 3-game set at Texas-San Antonio, Nicholls is at Memphis, Louisiana Tech visits McNeese, UNO hosts UL-M, and Tulane welcomes Ole Miss.

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The Major League Baseball Players Association has announced the launch of a $1 million fund to help support workers impacted by the lockout and the cancellation of games by MLB owners. The AFL-CIO will help in determining the greatest areas of need and in distributing funds.

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03.03.22
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LRN AM Newscall March 4

The family of a UNO student who died after a Uber ride is demanding answers on what led to her death. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Have you any idea how things are with YOU down there? More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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More than 600 prisoners at Angola are about to be on the move. David Grubb tells us why…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The mother of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride is demanding answers. During the early morning hours of February 19th, 21-year-old Ciaya Whetstone called for an Uber after attending a Mardi Gras party, a few hours later, the driver brought her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Attorney Chris Stewart says Miranda Ferrand has zero information…

Cut 4 (10)  “…this driver.”

Stewart says they do not know if she was drugged or sexually assaulted, which adds more emotional pain to the grieving process. Her mother, Miranda Ferrancd, addressed reporters during a press conference on the UNO campus…

Cut 5 (11) “..bury her.”

A state representative from South Carolina, Justin Bamburg, was also at the press conference. Bamburg says New Orleans police are not providing any information to the family, but they are talking to the local press…

Cut 6 (12)  “..private party.”

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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a Shreveport area specialist says it is very important to have timely screenings. Gastroenterologist Dr. James Hobley (pronounced: HOBB-lee) grew up in Shreveport and says – it is especially crucial for Louisiana to stay ahead of potential problems…:

Cut 7 (11) “…quite a few of.”

New research shows colon cancers are increasing in the U.S.; especially among Blacks and Hispanics under 40. Dr. Hobley says your family’s history with colorectal cancer is important to know when talking with your doctor. He cites the sad story of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred as Marvel’s Black Panther…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…wasn’t caught in time.”

Boseman died from colorectal cancer at just 43 years of age.

Dr. Hobley says there are mail-in tests available to detect colon cancers, but he favors getting a colonoscopy every few years, to seek out polyps and PREVENT cancers from forming…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…and we remove them.”

Hobley says colorectal cancer is a very treatable and beatable disease, and – if you are 40 or older and have not had a colonoscopy – you should consider getting one soon.

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On Thursday, we reported on a reduction in flights in and out of Alexandria International Airport, due to a shortage of pilots. What is to be done about the problem? AEX executive director Sandra McQuain says there IS a plan underway to get more people into the cockpit…:

Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”

McQuain says the lack of pilots has resulted in American Airlines temporarily halting flights between Alexandria and Charlotte, North Carolina. United Airlines has ended ALL service to AEX. McQuain says her airport is working with England Airpark and LSU-Alexandria to train new airline pilots…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…pilot’s license.”  

McQuain says AEX has a flight school on the premises that will provide flight training to LSUA students; the ONLY aviation program in the entire LSU System. She says AEX and LSUA hope to be part of the solution to the pilot shortage, rather than “sitting back and complaining about it”…:

Cut 12 (07) “…back in the air.”

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The state will transfer more than 600 people currently serving time at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder due to a major staffing shortage. In all, 602 inmates, or about 12 percent of Angola’s current population of 5100, will be moved. Department of Corrections Undersecretary Thomas Bickham said efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results.

Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”

DOC officials believe that the area surrounding the Allen Correctional Center is better suited to recruit employees than Angola, which is located in West Feliciana Parish. Allen Parish has about 10-thousand more residents than its more rural counterpart.

Cut 14 (10)  “…and keeping them.”

Last month state lawmakers approved the transfer of $2.6 million for 130 open positions from Angola to the Allen facility. DOC expects to hire at least 60 new staff members at Allen this month, not enough to supervise all 602 prisoners. Bickham says the transfers will take place in stages to keep from transferring the problem from one facility to another.

Cut 15 (12)  “…third in June.”

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The third-ranked LSU baseball team gets its first big test of the young season this weekend as they face Oklahoma, top-ranked Texas, and Baylor in the Shriners College Classic in Houston. LSU will face Oklahoma today at 3 PM, Blake Money gets the start on the mound for the Tigers and the Sooners will throw left-hander Jake Bennett. D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Kendall Rogers says O-U’s strength is its pitching…

Cut 16 (15)  “…for them”

LSU has won five in a row and they are 8-and-1 on the season. Rogers says the Tigers will have a chance to show this weekend they are a top ten team…

Cut 17 (19) “ …the season” 

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LSU women’s basketball opens play in the SEC tournament quarterfinals tonight at 6 pm, attempting to earn their first championship since 2003.  The Tigers have been one of the most surprising stories of the college basketball season, improving from nine wins last season to 25 this year…so far. Kim Mulkey won 11 tournament titles at Baylor, but she feels that what a team does in the regular season carries much more weight than what happens over one weekend.

Cut 18 (12) “ …and all that.” 

The Tigers will face the Kentucky Wildcats, who extended their winning streak to six games with yesterday’s win over Mississippi State. Kentucky is led by two-time All-American Rhyne Howard, who averaged 20 points per game and earned First Team All-SEC honors this season for the fourth time. Kim Mulkey shares her thoughts on the resurgent Wildcats…

Cut 19 (19)_“…good now.” 

The Tigers will face the 10th-seeded Mississippi State Bulldogs in the quarterfinals after State pulled off the upset over seventh-seeded Kentucky. State hadn’t won since beating Ole Miss more than two weeks ago.  LSU grabbed a 12-point road win in Starkville on Feb. 17th, so Coach Mulkey understands just what the Bulldogs are capable of.

Cut 20 (15) “ …can give you.” 

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03.03.22
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4:45 LRN Sportscast March 3

The eighth-seeded UL Ragin Cajuns advanced to the second round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament after holding off Texas-Arlington, 67-64. Jalen Dalcourt led the way with 16 points. UL will face the number one seed, Texas State on Saturday at 11:30 am.

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UL-Monroe takes to the court this evening for their opening round game against the sixth-seeded Arkansas State Red Wolves. They enter the SBC tournament in the midst of a five-game losing skid. Ten of UL-M’s 17 losses have come by single digits, so Coach Keith Richard would like to see a change of fortune with the WarHawks one loss from their season coming to an end.

Cut 17 (17) “…been in them.”

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The LSU men were game but came up short in their upset bid against 14th-ranked Arkansas last night, falling to the Razorbacks, 76-77. Tari Eason led the Tigers with 24 points but fouled out in only 17 minutes. LSU ends the regular season at home against Alabama on Saturday.

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LSU women’s basketball fans were not pleased with the Southeastern Conference postseason awards announcements. The Tigers finished second in the SEC standings yet only two players, guards Khayla Pointer and Alexis Morris, were named to the All-Conference team. On the eve of the SEC tournament, Coach Kim Mulkey is focused on team achievements, not individual honors.

Cut 19 (18) “…of the SEC.”

The second-seeded Tigers will face the winner of tonight’s matchup between Kentucky and Mississippi State. LSU defeated both during the regular season.

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The New Orleans Pelicans are rolling. The Pels extended their win streak to three games after beating the Sacramento Kings 125-95 at the Smoothie King Center. Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 33 points to lead five players in double-figures. New Orleans is 8-4 since February 1st. They go for four in a row on Friday against the Utah Jazz.

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