A fast start and the best team performance of the season earned LSU a decisive 98-64 victory over Arkansas in its SEC opener.
The Tigers have primarily counted on Aneesah Morrow, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams to power the offense this season. A change of character Thursday night produced the most complete game the team has had all season and a promising start to a juggernaut January schedule.
Contrary to precedent, LSU jumped out to a 16-2 lead in the first quarter. Arkansas had five turnovers in this stretch. The Razorbacks then bounced back with a 10-2 run to bring it within six.
Jersey Wolfenbarger started strong against her former team with six points and three rebounds in the first quarter.
In the second, Arkansas’ Izzy Higginbottom scored 10 of the teams 12 points with finesse in the paint. It was not enough. LSU shot 67% from the field and comfortably extended the lead.
At half, six LSU players had at least six points and a rebound. Both sides of the ball were functioning with high chemistry.
This collective effort continued in the third quarter with eight different Tigers putting up points. Morrow and Johnson showed especially excellent command of the offense.
In the final quarter, LSU’s bench got nearly all the minutes and was outscored 23-12.
The 98-64 victory was an excellent start to 2025 and SEC play, moving away from slow starts and towards holistic success.
“We had a lot of production from a lot of people,” head coach Kim Mulkey said. ”I thought we were productive everywhere.”
Johnson shot 5-for-12 with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. She was a force in the paint as well as in transition. LSU had 35 points off fast breaks all game.
“We were clicking on all cylinders and a lot of it had to do with our transition offense,” Mulkey said.
Mulkey credits Last-Tear Poa, Kailyn Gilbert and Sa’Myah Smith with standout performances.
Gilbert had 16 points, three rebounds and one assist on 7-for-12 shooting.
“Those two young ladies were big in our run when we won the national championship two years ago,” Mulkey said of Poa and Smith. “We need them to get back to playing like they’re capable of playing.”
Smith had six points, four rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist on 3-for-4 shooting.
Poa ended 3-for-6 with nine points, six assists, two steals and a rebound. Mulkey praised her defense against Higginbottom in the first quarter.
The Tigers are set to play three ranked teams before the end of the month. Maintaining undefeated status means winning in multiple ways and continuing to grow. LSU did both on Thursday night.
