NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Seimone Augustus scored 29 points to help No. 3 LSU beat Kentucky 79-52 on Saturday night and advance to the championship of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

LSU (27-2) used its speed, aggressive defense and precision shooting ability to frustrate the Wildcats (21-7) from start to finish. LSU never trailed, but saw 6-foot-5 center Sylvia Fowles leave early in the second half with a right ankle injury.

Fowles left with 15:24 to play, having scored 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting, and she pulled down 10 rebounds. She averages 16.9 points per game and 11.6 rebounds, so not having her inside presence in the championship game would give LSU a different look.

LSU plays the winner of No. 8 Tennessee-No. 12 Georgia at 5 p.m. Central on Sunday.

Scholanda Hoston added 10 for the Lady Tigers.

Nastassia Alcius led Kentucky with 14 points and Sarah Elliott scored 10.

LSU jumped out to a 21-4 lead as Augustus scored 12 points during that stretch. After Alcius ended the LSU run with a 3, the Wildcats chipped away, closing the deficit to 31-21 when Jennifer Humphrey bounced in a 3 with 3:28 to go in the half.

LSU coach Pokey Chatman called a time out and Kentucky didn’t score again in the half. In the remaining minutes, in addition to forcing turnovers, LSU quickened its pace on offense, with point guard Erica White showing her speed in moving the ball up court and getting the ball in for points.

LSU closed the half scoring the last six points to take a 37-21 lead.