After a 0-2 begin in SEC play, the No. 12 LSU Tigers shook off all doubts with a press release 70-65 victory over No. 2 Texas on Sunday. This was the Longhorns’ first lack of the season, and likewise LSU’s first win over an AP prime two crew since 2008.
“I am positive you’ve got heard, however coach (Kim) Mulkey says she desires us to be powerful,” Mikaylah Williams stated in her postgame broadcast interview. “And I believe that is one thing we have actually taken satisfaction in after these first two losses. Being powerful, sticking collectively and enjoying onerous. That is one thing that we have finished and that is one thing we have been profitable at up to now.”
The sold-out crowd in Baton Rouge was electrical all 40 minutes, however they exploded when Williams virtually sealed the cope with a three-pointer that made it a three-possession recreation with simply 1:18 remaining. This was simply one other instance of the affect she had on Sunday. She had an entire efficiency that included 20 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals.
Here’s a nearer have a look at how LSU upset Texas:
A stifling protection that shut down Rori Harmon
The Tigers received off to a tough begin offensively as they went simply 7 of 26 from the sphere, however their protection made positive Texas did not get sizzling both.
LSU held the Longhorns to 25 factors within the first two quarters, which is their lowest scoring half this season. Though Texas has one of many prime assists/turnover ratios within the nation, the crew completed Sunday with a season-high 17 turnovers and simply 9 assists.
Jordan Lee has been some of the constant gamers for Texas, however she solely made three subject objectives all day. In the meantime, level guard Rori Harmon had simply two factors, going 1 of seven from the sphere. Harmon sat out your complete fourth quarter after Vic Schaefer determined to go along with Bryanna Preston.
Limiting Madison Booker, particularly within the first half
Booker was the spark for a Texas comeback try within the fourth quarter, however regardless of ending the day with 24 factors on 10 of 16 taking pictures, these stats do not inform the entire story. LSU’s protection, with Williams being a key a part of it, restricted Booker to only 4 factors and three turnovers within the first half. She additionally had two fouls in these first two quarters and was dangerously near fouling out as she picked up her fourth early within the fourth quarter.
Regardless of the loss, Booker is already desirous about easy methods to lock in and bounce again when the Longhorns tackle South Carolina.
“Coach stated it, we’re not prepared for Thursday,” Booker stated postgame. “We’re nonetheless going to come back it doesn’t matter what, however we’ve got to prepare. Now we have to organize once more and we’ve got to attempt to repair our errors.”
Combating for rebounds
LSU now not has Angel Reese or Aneesah Morrow to take over within the rebounding class. Kim Mulkey has been speaking all season about how she desires the entire crew to make a acutely aware effort on this space, they usually did simply that in opposition to Texas. LSU received the battle on the boards 44-35, which suggests the Tigers’ grueling practices have paid off.
“We have had practices with a rebound bubble on, so the ball cannot go in so it’s important to rebound,” Williams stated postgame. “In the event you did not get it, there was working concerned.
“I am happy with how we rebounded as we speak.”
Showcasing depth, with 5 gamers scored in double digits
Williams was the star of the present on Sunday, however there have been a number of Tigers who stepped up throughout massive moments. 4 different LSU gamers joined her within the double-digit membership with 10 factors every, together with Jada Richard, who hit a surprising buzzer-beater on the finish of the second quarter following a steal and dime from Williams.
Flau’jae Johnson was coming off her highest scoring recreation of the season within the win in opposition to Georgia. She solely made 4 subject objectives in opposition to Texas however her affect was nonetheless felt all through the sport. When the Longhorns have been engaged on a comeback, Johnson received an and-one with 7:15 remaining to maintain injecting power into her crew and the group. The 5-foot-10 guard additionally received the group going with a block in opposition to 6-foot-6 heart Kyla Oldacre later within the fourth quarter.
MaLaysia Fulwiley remains to be cleansing up facets of her video games, however her strikes additionally make the sport thrilling. One other key bench participant is ZaKiyah Johnson, who Richard described her as a “canine” postgame.
