DaShawn Harden scored 20 points in her LSU debut Friday night to lead the 15th-ranked Tigers to an 86-58 win over Stephen F. Austin in the opener of the preseason WNIT.
Harden, a junior-college transfer, made four 3-pointers to lead LSU, which hosts St. Joseph's in the second round Sunday.
LSU's Theresa Plaisance made her first four shots and finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Danielle Ballard also had 18 points for the Tigers.
The game was dedicated to the late Sue Gunter, who spent a combined 40 seasons coaching LSU and Stephen F. Austin. Gunter won 708 games and took LSU to 11 NCAA tournaments.
Porsha Roberts led Stephen F. Austin with 21 points and eight rebounds. SFA shot 34.4 percent for the game and committed 23 turnovers, which led to 18 LSU points.
