Physicality was the theme in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Thursday. 

But once LSU separated itself going into halftime, it never looked back. The Tigers were tested, but came away with a 71-66 win over Auburn.

LSU looked to bounce back and split the series with Auburn after falling to it on Jan. 14, 67-62. While that matchup was at Auburn, this time around, LSU had the crowd on its side.

“Just being poised,” Angel Reese said. “Of course, being back at home, having the crowd here…it was awesome.”

It was a test not so much for the sake of revenge, but to show the growth of the team since that loss. With Thursday’s win, the Tigers have now won five straight games.

After losing three times in SEC play in January, it’s safe to say LSU found its groove again in February.

Angel Reese had control all game

Collectively, LSU had a quieter night in the paint than its used to having. But it wasn’t so unfamiliar that Angel Reese had control down low.

She finished with another double-double in 25 points and 20 rebounds, shooting 8-for-13 from the field.

“Just a competitor that didn’t want to lose to the same team,” Mulkey said. “She really turned it up a notch.”

This performance marked her 17th double-double of the season, and her sixth in a row. It was also her seventh 20-plus point, 20-plus rebound game during her time at LSU.

Aneesah Morrow had a quieter night in the paint, as she finished with five points, five rebounds and two assists.

The bench was LSU’s X-Factor

As Auburn continued to hang around throughout the first half, LSU needed a new look, and Last-Tear Poa and Aalyah Del Rosario provided that in the latter end of the second quarter. 

The two helped the Tigers go into halftime with a 10-point lead, its largest of the half.

Poa finished the game with 13 points, an LSU career-high, along with three rebounds. In the first half, she scored seven points, shooting 3-for-4 from the field. Five of her seven first half points came in the second quarter.

But Del Rosario entered the game for the first time in the second quarter, and she added six points, shooting 2-for-2 from the field and 2-for-2 at the foul line.

There was a new sense of energy from LSU seeing the production from its bench players, something Mulkey can surely get used to seeing headed into the postseason.

Flau’jae Johnson scored in double figures

While Reese and LSU’s bench played significant roles, Flau’jae Johnson played her part. She finished with 11 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field, along with six rebounds and two assists.

To cap off an energized second quarter, Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give LSU a 10-point lead going into halftime. 

Hailey Van Lith also hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to end the first quarter, giving LSU a 19-17 lead. She finished the game with seven points, four assists and three rebounds.

Honesty Scott-Grayson was Auburn’s answer all night

Auburn’s overall offensive production was obviously enough to hang with LSU, but Honesty Scott-Grayson kept Auburn well in the game.

She finished the game with 28 points, shooting 10-for-23 from the field, 5-for-8 from three and 3-for-5 from the free throw line.

“Honesty is cat quick, and her change of direction is really good,” Auburn head coach, Johnnie Harris, said. “I just put her in a position to do what she does best.”

Auburn revolved its offense around Scott-Grayson, especially in the first half, as 17 of her 28 points came in the first half. 

But LSU’s defensive efforts in the second half led by Johnson and Poa caused Scott-Grayson to cool down.

JaMya Mingo-Young also had a hand in Auburn’s scoring efforts, as she finished with 16 points. Sydney Shaw added nine points as well.

Fouls were common from both teams

The sound of a whistle was heard frequently, and boos from LSU fans as well.

There were a combined 43 fouls in Thursday’s game. Auburn won that contest with 25 fouls as opposed to LSU’s 18.

“It wasn’t just for this game. That’s how we play,” Harris said. “That’s just who we are.”

For LSU, Van Lith, Johnson and Reese each had four fouls, and Morrow finished with three.

Who’s next?

The Tigers will be back on the road on Sunday, as they will take the trip to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.

The game will tip at 11 a.m. C.T. from Thompson-Boling Arena, and will be televised live on ESPN.