Angel Reese provided the intensity the Tigers needed from the start of the game, but Mikaylah Williams and Sa’Myah Smith took over from there for a 109-47 win over Mississippi Valley State Sunday afternoon.
Since Kim Mulkey returned home with her team after their loss to Colorado, she’s realized two big things: Mikaylah Williams has made a smooth transition from high school to college, and Sa’Myah Smith could likely play a big role on this season’s team.
Williams shot with ease from behind the three-point line. She finished with 20 points on the day. shooting five of six from three. She also had five rebounds.
She cooled down in the second half, and Sa’Myah Smith picked up where she left off.
“She’s [Sa’Myah] just quietly doing her job; rebound the ball, block shots,” Mulkey said. “Sa’Myah has been consistent in all three games.”
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Smith, in her second start on Sunday, tied her career-high after her 21-point performance against Queens on Thursday. The sophomore led the team with her second straight double-double, this time with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Mississippi Valley State.
“Just knowing what I could do and being confident in myself is a good thing,” Smith said. “Just staying consistent, being someone that coach can go to.”
But Reese gave the Tigers the intensity they needed from the start of the game. Mississippi State got off to a four-point lead early in the first quarter, but Reese helped the Tigers get back in front. Reese finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and she also shot eight for nine from the foul line.
Aneesah Morrow came in the game off the bench for the second straight game, but her production continued to stay the same. The junior transfer from DePaul finished with 14 points and five rebounds.
“Aneesah’s a great rebounder, she’s a great three-point shooter, she moves well” Mulkey said. “She’s just real real quiet, and we’re trying to get her to talk more. And I think she will when she becomes a little more comfortable.”
This being said, the starting lineup did look a little different once again. This time around, Last-Tear Poa got the start in place of Flau’jae Johnson, who was not available due to illness.
While Poa is in the game, she runs the point guard position consistently while Hailey Van Lith runs at shooting guard. Van Lith scored in double figures with 11 points, four rebounds and six assists, and Poa added nine points, four rebounds and three assists.
The two seem to work well together, they facilitate the offense well, and they have an easy time getting the ball down low to Smith, Reese and Morrow.
Shi’Diamond McKnight led Mississippi Valley State with 21 of the Devilette’s 47 points. She fouled out of the game with under five minutes left to play.
Regardless of the shifting around, it’s been successful for Mulkey and her Tigers since they returned from Las Vegas on Monday. Not only have they won their last two games, but they continue to figure themselves out, and who will play what roles.
It was what Mulkey calls “a learning experience” when the team went to Las Vegas and fell to Colorado 92-78, but playing out-of-conference games at home has met expectations. It gives Mulkey time to experiment up until SEC play.
“I’m looking at effort,” Mulkey said. “I’m looking at understanding at what all five players are supposed to do, and then as I’m watching, I’m looking to see who listened to scouting reports. But it’s getting better.”
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The Tigers will be back in the Pete Maravich Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 14 to take on Kent State. The game will tip off at 11 a.m. C.T., and will be televised on SEC Network-Plus.
