Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has produced his second-highest scoring game of the season to help Louisiana State University claim an important victory.
Simmons racked up a game-high 36-point haul in LSU's 90-82 away win in their opening match of southeastern conference play against Vanderbilt University in Nashville on Saturday.
The 19-year-old freshman, who is expected to be the NBA's No.1 draft pick this year, was been criticised at times earlier in the season for weak shooting accuracy and an apparent lack of desire to take the ball to the hoop.
However there were no such weaknesses on Saturday as Melbourne-born prodigy Simmons shot 10-of-15 from the field, scoring more than double the points of all but one other player on the court.
The haul came despite the fact he was heavily guarded and regularly fouled throughout, allowing him to sink another 16-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Despite battling cramps throughout the second half, Simmons also claimed 14 rebounds and provided four assists in the dominant display.
The win allowed the Tigers to improve to an 8-5 season record, keeping their hopes of a post-season alive.
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