With just under six minutes left in the first quarter, Flau’jae Johnson knocked down a three-point shot from the baseline.
At that moment, Tiger fans knew she’d have her shot. With 12 first quarter points, Johnson helped lead LSU to a 95-44 win over Eastern Kentucky.
Johnson finished the game with 25 points, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, 2-for-5 from three, and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
“She’s in the greatest shape she’s ever been in her life,” Mulkey said. “It’s becoming very easy for her.”
She was reliable with her mid-range jumpers and even from the perimeter, but what made her most versatile was her ability to drive in the paint through traffic and make contested shots.
“She’s been in the system, and it’s her third year now,” Mulkey said. “So it’s not like she has to think a whole lot, just go play.”
Not to mention, she continued to be a defensive threat, adding four rebounds to her stat line.
However, Johnson finished the game with four fouls. She will always be a player that contributes in all aspects of the game, but the more she is involved in plays may at times get her into foul trouble.
Nonetheless, Johnson played like a leader would be expected to. Every leader, though, needs a wingman, or wingwoman. Luckily, she had a familiar face by her side.
Mikaylah Williams made her return to the court after an ankle injury kept her sidelined for LSU’s two exhibition games. Now that Williams has a year at the collegiate level under her belt, she’s also expected to turn her experience into leadership.
“Those two young ladies are two of the best guards in the country,” Mulkey said. “What you fail to remember is that they’re both a sophomore and a junior.”
The sophomore guard finished with 18 points and six rebounds, shooting 7-for-14 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line.
But a leader also makes those around them better, and Johnson’s ability to navigate in the paint helped LSU’s post players thrive.
Aneesah Morrow showed her leadership in the paint, finishing a double-double in 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9-for-11 from the field and 2-for-4 at the foul line.
Sa’Myah Smith also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from the foul line.
Of LSU’s 95 points, 38 were scored in the paint.
With LSU having lots of depth at the guard positions, it was important to see Johnson complement the post players.
While seeing leadership in action was a major theme on Monday night, seeing the newcomers in action in regular season gameplay was also a focal point.
Shayeann Day-Wilson, who made the start against Eastern Kentucky, finished with six points, shooting 2-for-3 from three. Kailyn Gilbert also added nine points.
In the loss, Alice Recanati, Kaitlyn Costner and Liz Freihofer each had nine points for Eastern Kentucky.
There were some mistakes that the Tigers still have to clean up over time.
LSU turned the ball over 17 times Monday night. With 10 turnovers against LSU-Alexandria and 15 turnovers against Xavier University of Louisiana, not being careful with the ball has become a trend early. Eastern Kentucky finished the game with 10 steals.
In addition, the Tigers finished with 13 fouls as a team. Along with Johnson’s four fouls, Smith, Morrow and Williams each finished with two.
LSU’s increased depth may help relieve the pressure that foul trouble may bring. Kim Mulkey played 10 players through three quarters of the game.
Without Last-Tear Poa and Mjracle Sheppard, who will be out for a couple of weeks due to a stress reaction, the Tigers could have around a 12-player rotation.
“We have depth, but we don’t have it right now. I’m still piecing some together,” Mulkey said. “Our depth will definitely help us down the road, but we have to get them on the floor every day.”
But thanks to the leadership in all phases of the game, LSU starts the season in the winner’s column, and looks to build off that momentum.
“We just want to be known as a team that’s going to play hard the whole game,” Smith said. “Just a team that plays gritty, hard and tough.”
The Tigers will take the floor on Friday against Northwestern State at the PMAC at 7 p.m., and it will be broadcasted on SEC Network+.