It was a sea of gold in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for LSU women’s basketball’s Senior Day, and the Tigers came away with a 77-56 win over Kentucky to close out the regular season.
Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese were both honored in the Senior Day festivities at halftime. Both players were accompanied by their families, and Reese brought a familiar face to LSU fans to join her: Shaquille O’Neal.
“It feels great, long four years,” Reese said. “It’s been crazy and amazing.”
“Everyone made it a special night that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” Van Lith said.
The seniors captured LSU fans’ hearts after being honored at center court, as the crowded chanted “One More Year,” hoping both Reese and Van Lith could stay at LSU for next season instead of taking their careers to the WNBA. Both seniors have a year of eligibility remaining allowing them to do so.
Neither Reese or Van Lith have made a decision on whether or not they’ll return to LSU for next season, or if they’ll declare for the WNBA Draft.
The two both agreed that they need to stay focused on the postseason, and getting their LSU team as far as they can in the NCAA Tournament.
However, looking past the celebrations, it wasn’t always a smooth scoring night from LSU. The Tigers used Kentucky’s mishaps to their advantage frequently in order to boost their lead.
The Tigers finished shooting 31-for-69 (44.9%) from the field, but were held to just 1-for-12 (8.3%) from three.
But nonetheless, the Tigers came away with the win, marking their eighth win in a row.
The seniors shined on Senior Day
It was fitting that LSU’s two seniors paved the way for the Tigers to close out their regular season with a win.
Reese led the team with 22 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 10-for-18 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. She also came away with three steals and five blocks. But Reese was agitated multiple times throughout the game, as she had six turnovers.
Van Lith was right behind Reese with 15 points, shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line. She made LSU’s first 3-pointer of the game with just over five minutes left in the game, and she finished shooting 1-for-7 from three.
Big second half from Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow
Many eyes were on Reese and Van Lith, but Aneesah Morrow and Flau’jae Johnson stepped up to further ignite LSU’s scoring efforts in the second half.
Johnson finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block. She shot 8-for-12 from the field and 5-for-5 from the foul line.
In the second half, she scored 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
“She’s just grown so much in her game,” Mulkey said. “She’s everything you want to show young people on how much you can improve from your freshman year to your sophomore year.”
Morrow finished the game with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, shooting 6-for-14 from the field, and 3-for-4 from the foul line.
In the second half, she scored eight points along with five rebounds and an assist.
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LSU converted on Kentucky’s mistakes
Kentucky finished the game with 23 turnovers as opposed to LSU’s 15.
But the Tigers didn’t let Kentucky’s turnovers go to waste, as they scored 26 points off of turnovers from the Wildcats. LSU also outscored Kentucky 22-10 in fast-break points.
Kentucky also had 15 fouls as a team compared to LSU’s 13, so the Tigers found themselves at the foul-line many times throughout the game.
The Tigers finished the game shooting 14-for-17 (82.4%) from the free throw line.
LSU’s appearances at the free throw line were deemed to be important to increase its lead given the struggles the team had shooting around the perimeter.
Kentucky did have success scoring and rebounding
Kentucky scored efficiently and held its own in the paint throughout much of the game, but was in its own way too much to stay in the game.
Three players scored in double figures for the Wildcats; Ajae Petty led the team with a double-double in 13 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks, Amiya Jenkins scored 14 points, and Saniah Tyler scored 14 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field and 4-for-7 from three.
Compared to LSU’s 45% shooting from the field, Kentucky shot 35%, and shot 40% from three. In addition, Kentucky grabbed 37 rebounds compared to LSU’s 43. Of Kentucky’s 37 rebounds, 24 of them came on defense.
The Wildcats had the overall performance for it to be a closer game, but mistakes dragged them down.
“We had a lot of fight in us, and we needed it,” Kentucky head coach, Kyra Elzy, said. “LSU is one of the standards, so I’m proud of our team in our battle.”
Mikaylah Williams did not play for LSU
Mikaylah Williams did not suit up for LSU on Sunday, as she was walking with a boot on her right foot. She is, however, expected to play in the SEC tournament.
Last-Tear Poa started the game in place of Williams.
Who’s next?
LSU closed out its regular season with an eight-game win-streak. But the Tigers look to keep their streak alive in the SEC Tournament.
The SEC Tournament begins on Wednesday from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, but with their double-bye and No. 2 seed, the Tigers won’t play until Friday at 5 p.m. C.T. on the SEC Network.
The Tigers will play the winner of No. 7 Auburn and No. 10 Arkansas, who play on Thursday at 5 p.m. C.T.
“I think we’re right where we need to be. We’ve improved defensively, we know a little more about each other now, we have a hunger in that locker room,” Mulkey said. “I think we have an opportunity to do a lot in the SEC Tournament.”
