One of these days, LSU's slow starts and soft spots are going to catch up to it. But not yesterday. The Tigers were once again able to build a big early second half lead and coast to victory.

"It's like a bulb goes off in our head when they tell us we only got 20 more minutes," Scholanda Hoston said. "I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I think we can get ourselves in some trouble if we continue to do that. But we're grateful to be moving on.

Khara Smith couldn't score inside against Sylvia Fowles, so DePaul mostly sat outside and bombed away. But they shot only 8 for 26 from beyond the arc, and only 32% overall.

Still, Coach Bruno walked away happy. "The kids learned what this level is about," he said. "And they saw how much more they are capable of from a get-back point of view."

Everyone in Louisiana (and everyone in Minnesota) had a moment of panic when Augustus went down late in the game grabbing her Achilles -- "I was sick," said Pokey. But it was just a cramp.