Cook gets first start, leads LSU to 87-66 win over Lamar

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Jalen Cook scored a team-high 17 points in his second game back in an LSU uniform, leading the Tigers to an 87-66 win over Lamar on Thursday night.

Cook returned to LSU as a transfer from Tulane and was initially ruled ineligible for the 2023-24 season by the NCAA. A U.S. District judge in West Virginia issued a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, barring it from enforcing its rule against double-transfers having immediate eligibility.

The point guard scored 13 points off the bench in a 96-85 loss to No. 19 Texas and the point guard got his first start against Lamar, scoring 10 points and dishing three assists in the first half while the Tigers built a 45-26 lead at the break. Cook fed Will Baker for dunk to open the scoring 37 seconds into the game. He finished shooting 7 of 18 from the field, 2 of 7 from long range, adding five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Jordan Wright scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds for LSU (7-5). Baker added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Ja'Sean Jackson and Jakevion Buckley each came off the bench and scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, to lead Lamar (5-7). Terry Anderson had 12 points and Chris Pryor added 10.

LSU plays host to Northwestern State December 29. Lamar will play host to NAIA-member Paul Quinn College December 30.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball