NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- LSU is off to its best start in 14 years and still in the thinning ranks of undefeated teams after a 63-53 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl Classic.

After six straight losing seasons, the Tigers (12-0) haven't done better since the 1985-86 season when they won 14 straight on the way to the Final Four.

It's another step in trying to put this program back to where it once was," LSU coach John Brady said.

Although no longer among the unbeaten teams, it's the second time in the last three seasons that Oklahoma State (10-1) had opened the season with 10 straight wins.

Lamont Roland looked more than comfortable making the step from junior college to Division I with a career-high 22 points, including nine of LSU's final 12 in the game.

"Coach just told me to keep shooting the ball and I kept shooting it," Roland said. "We were actually working on playing good defense. That's why it was such a low-scoring game. But it was fun to hit some baskets too."

Roland, who was 5-of-7 from 3-point range, had 17 points in the second half, matching the total of his teammates over the final 20 minutes.

Jabari Smith's basket with 15:32 to play gave LSU a 39-29 lead. The Tigers were up 44-33 with 14:03 left when Oklahoma State went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes. It was capped when Brian Montonati went 1-for-2 from the foul line, Oklahoma State's only free throws of the game.

"One for two free throws, I think that must be some kind of school record," said Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton.

Over the final 6:16, Oklahoma State scored twice on goaltending calls, but did not make a field goal until Glendon Alexander's 3-pointer with 1:10 left cut LSU's lead to 60-53. Roland and Stromile Swift then made free throws for LSU to close out the scoring.

Swift had 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for LSU, while Smith had 11 rebounds as the Tigers outrebounded Oklahoma State 45-29.

Joe Adkins led the Cowboys with 14 points and Montonati had 13.

Adkins' third straight 3-pointer tied the game 20-20, but the Cowboys scored only two more points over the final 7:25 of the half as LSU led 29-22 at halftime.