Ben Simmons looked as good as advertised in his college debut as No. 21 Louisiana State had little trouble handling McNeese State 81-70 in a season-opening victory before a raucous crowd in Baton Rouge, La.

Simmons, a forward who earlier in the week became just the fourth freshman ever selected for the Associated Press preseason All-America team, finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, along with five assists and a pair of blocked shots. He scored the first point of his college career on a free throw after being fouled by Craig McFerrin 25 seconds into the game, and soon followed with his first assist, a behind-the-back pass to Tim Quarterman that put the Tigers up 4-3 early.

Austin Lewis dunked to make it 5-4 Cowboys, but McNeese State would never lead after that. A 7-0 run to end the first half, capped by a Simmons dunk, gave the Tigers a 41-27 lead at the break.

LSU then started the second half on a 20-0 run to end all suspense.

Guard Antonio Blakeney led LSU with 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Guard Brandon Sampson added 18 points, while Quarterman finished with 11.

Guard Jamaya Burr had 18 points for McNeese State (0-1).

The attendance at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center was 11,697 - the largest crowd for an LSU home opener since 1991, Shaquille O’Neal's final season.