The last time Angel Reese faced Texas A&M in Baton Rouge she set the LSU single-game rebounding record with 28. Just over a year later, she picked up where she left off when the Aggies returned to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Her 20 points and 18 rebounds helped lead LSU to an 87-70 win over Texas A&M in a game where the Tigers outrebounded the Aggies 44-35. It was clear from the beginning of the game LSU wanted to set the tone physically. It did that attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line.
“That’s a big part of our game,” head coach Kim Mulkey said after the game. “They’re gonna make you guard and if they don’t score the ball, most of them get fouled.”
Texas A&M came into the game with the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, holding its opponents to 48.9 points per game. LSU nearly reached that mark in the first half.
The aggressiveness in getting to the basket allowed Reese to shine as she scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the first quarter alone.
The aggressiveness wasn’t limited to offense either. LSU was the more physical team on both ends of the court for the duration of the game, wearing Texas A&M down.
That resulted in another LSU specialty: A dominant third quarter.
Trailing by seven at half, Texas A&M was competitive and remained in the game throughout the first 20 minutes. All hope for the Aggies was gone by the end of the third quarter.
LSU outscored the Aggies 24-12 in the third quarter, with 10 of LSU’s points coming at the free throw line. The Tigers were active on the other end too, forcing seven turnovers and holding a 13-9 rebounding advantage.
The aggressiveness attacking the basket created opportunities for open shots on the perimeter and LSU was efficient, making 6 of 11 3-pointers. Not only were the Tigers getting open shots, but Reese finished with a career high seven assists.
“I’ve always been a good passer. I mean, I was a point guard when I was younger, so I know where a lot of my teammates like the ball,” Reese said. “I knew this year I was gonna have to make a sacrifice. Probably my points, my rebounds or something was gonna go down. So I wanted something else to go up in a different kind of category.”
Aneesah Morrow, Mikaylah Williams, Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith also scored in double figures as LSU continued to show its balance offensively. Van Lith and Williams took advantage of the space created by attacking the basket, making five of LSU’s six 3-pointers.
By the end of the game, LSU almost doubled Texas A&M’s average points allowed, proving how effective the offense can be against even the top defenses.
It also proved where LSU remains strongest. Even with its talented guards and improved shooting, LSU is most effective when getting to the basket and being aggressive on both ends. When that happens, the job becomes easier for the guards.
“You live and die by the three. I’m not that kind of coach,” Mulkey said. “We’ve got people that can score at all positions. But if you leave us open, we’re gonna light you up.”
