<p>The guard trio of Doneeka Hodges, Temeka Johnson and Seimone Augustus made sure LSU didnt need much from inside the paint.</p><p>Hodges and Johnson each scored 20 points and Augustus added 14 to help the 17th-ranked Lady Tigers hold off Florida State 75-68 Saturday in the opener of the Russell Athletic Shootout.</p><p>No. 12 Georgia played Georgia Tech in the second game.</p><p>Its been a work in progress for us, LSU coach Sue Gunter said. Weve relied on these three girls and theyve carried the mail for us, period.</p><p>Genesis Choice had 15 for the Seminoles (6-4), who lost for the third time in five games. They havent beaten a ranked team since Feb. 8, 2001, a 71-69 victory over No. 4 Duke.</p><p>Im disappointed in the way we closed things out, Florida State coach Sue Semrau said. Their veteran perimeter players came up big for them.</p><p>The Lady Tigers (10-2) fought off several rallies in the second half to win their ninth straight, despite only 19 points from their four interior players. They took a 13-point lead on a 3-pointer by Hodges soon after halftime, before Florida State came back the first time.</p><p>A switch from a zone to man-to-man defense helped the Seminoles, as well as the play of reserve Angela Sutton. She didnt score but held Hodges in check for a 5-minute stretch, allowing Florida State to get within three on a three-point play by Choice.</p><p>We needed a momentum change, Semrau said of changing the defense.</p><p>But LSU stretched the lead again when Sutton went back to the bench. Hodges fed Allen with a pretty backdoor pass for a layup to start a quick 6-0 run and the Tigers seemed to be in control again.</p><p>Its one of the best backcourts were going to see all year, Florida State guard Shante Williams said. Theyre great.</p><p>Once again, the Seminoles came back. Consecutive baskets by Ganiyat Adeduntan cut it to five, then Williams had a steal and a layup to make it 64-61.</p><p>Another three-point play by Choice cut the lead to 68-66, but Johnson scored five points down the stretch to help LSU hold on.</p><p>FSU is a tough team and they proved it, Johnson said. We just had to come out and execute and make plays down the stretch.</p><p>The Tigers lost consecutive games in November to Oregon and then-No. 9 Penn State to fall to 1-2. Since then, theyve won all their games, seven at home.</p><p>Were still a ways away from where we have to be, Gunter said. The young players have done a nice job of hanging in for us. Well be fine. Its just not there yet.</p><p>Florida State led through much of the first half before a three-point play by Hodges put LSU back ahead 24-22 with 5 minutes left. The Tigers led 35-30 at halftime.</p><p>We had a couple of chances to take control, but they just were never out of it, Gunter said. I give my kids credit for being resilient and winning the game.</p>
