LSU completed a sweep of a three-game homestand to begin the season when it held off North Florida 78-70 on Friday night in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

Brandon Sampson scored 16 points and triggered a pivotal early second-half surge for the Tigers, who had beaten Wofford (91-69) and Southern Mississippi (78-61).

LSU travels for the first time when it plays Wichita State in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Wednesday in Paradise Island, The Bahamas. The Ospreys (1-2) host Florida National on Tuesday night.

Antonio Blakeney led the Tigers with 20 points, Duop Reath scored 17 and Aaron Epps had 14.

Chris Davenport led North Florida with 16 points and Romelo Banks, Aaron Bodager and Dallas Moore had 13 each.

LSU led for almost the entire first half, but North Florida cut the lead to one at halftime. Bodager then made two 3-pointers and Banks made two baskets as the Ospreys took a 45-42 lead early in the second half.

Brandon Sampson made consecutive 3-pointers as he scored 10 straight Tigers points and LSU took a 56-49 lead.

Blakeney made a 3-pointer as the Tigers increased their lead to 12 before the Ospreys made a charge.

Davenport scored five points as North Florida got within 67-63 with four minutes remaining.

Sampson made a jumper, but Davenport answered with a 3-pointer that got the Ospreys within five with 2:27 left.

Blakeney made a jumper and after a Davenport turnover, the Tigers rebounded three consecutive missed shots and Sampson made two free throws to give LSU a nine-point lead with 1:28 left.

The Tigers used balanced scoring to open a first-half lead. Six Tigers scored during a 17-8 run that gave them a seven-point lead.

The Ospreys made a run of their own to finish the half. Davis scored four points and Bodager made a 3-pointer during a 10-2 North Florida run that trimmed LSU's lead to 34-33 at halftime.