A disastrous start left LSU trailing into the second half. It took a commanding fourth quarter to secure the eventual 83-61 lead.

Low-percentage shots, frequent turnovers and a permeable defense forced the Tigers to work uphill from tipoff. As play went on, defense tightened and the offense became more efficient, eventually securing the victory.

LSU turned the ball over five times in the first four minutes of play with travels and bad passes.

The Tigers went 0-for-7 from three that quarter and were outshot by 21% from the field.

Towards the end of the first, a questionable foul call on Aneesah Morrow limited her minutes the rest of the half. This was significant because Morrow’s rebounds were what kept the game within reach.

Early in the second quarter LSU trailed 30-18, their largest deficit of the game.
The deep guard rotation was a tremendous asset in the second quarter.

Mjracle Sheppard’s rigid defense generated turnovers into transition scores and Kailyn Gilbert’s offensive aggression and awareness opened up the floor.

LSU shrunk Albany’s lead to four entering halftime.

In the third, the Tigers obtained the lead with a cleaner offense, the presence of Morrow and plenty of free throws.

An early fourth quarter 8-0 run by the Great Danes took the lead. Then LSU ran away with it.

Morrow responded almost immediately with a putback and-1. She had a double-double in the fourth quarter alone.

The Tigers finished on a 25-2 run, winning handily 83-61.

LSU finished with 53 rebounds, including 23 on offense. The team had 30 second-chance points.

Morrow was responsible for 18 of those, going over, around and through opponents to get them.

She finished 8-for-13 with 20 points, two assists and a steal.

“You gotta watch young people and you gotta see what their heart tells you and how hard they play,” head coach Kim Mulkey said. “She just plays like you want your kid to play.”

The Tigers turned the ball over just three times after starting the game with seven in the first quarter. In the fourth, offense improved with faster, more open play.

“That’s a part of our game, transition offense,” Morrow said. “When we were able to push the ball, we were able to get open looks, run the floor, that’s how we separate the lead.”

Mikayla Williams had a strong defensive game, including an athletic block in the paint during the final minutes. In addition to the block, she also had two steals.

Williams finished 7-for-16 for 18 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Mulkey appreciated the team’s improved discipline and communication on defense to end the game but believes there is room to grow holistically.

LSU starts SEC play against Arkansas on Jan. 2 at 8 p.m.