Justin Hamilton collected 14 points and 11 rebounds as Louisiana State overcame a tough shooting night to post a 66-59 victory over visiting California-Irvine.

Eddie Ludwig added 12 points while Ralston Turner struggled to nine on 2-of-17 shooting for the Tigers (7-3), who have won four straight. LSU takes a big step up in competition when No. 11 Marquette comes to Baton Rogue on Monday.

The Tigers let a strong defensive first half carry them against the Anteaters. LSU held UC Irvine to 22 percent (7 of 32) from the field in the opening period and closed with a 10-2 run to take a 28-16 advantage into the break.

Ludwig’s 3-pointer to start the second gave the Tigers their biggest lead of the night.

The Anteaters (2-8) chipped away, drawing as close as 50-46 when Michael Wilder hit a 3-pointer with 6:24 remaining.

The Tigers sealed it at the free throw line when freshman Anthony Hickey, who had been scoreless up to that point, buried a pair of free throws with 47 seconds left to make it 61-52.

Wilder finished with 19 points to lead UC Irvine.