When in doubt, you lean on who and what you know best.
In a game where LSU had 16 turnovers, and Mississippi State added another 19, LSU’s Big Three came through once again, leading the Tigers to a 81-67 win.
“Welcome to the SEC,” Mulkey said. “This is big-time, elite basketball and it’s physical, but we’ll bang with you.”
Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson combined for 42 points in the win, shooting a combined 8-for-14 from the perimeter.
The Tigers shot 30-for-74 (40.5%) from the field as a team, and 9-for-20 (45%) from three. Williams led the team with 22 points, shooting 8-for-16 from the field.
There may not be a better time for the sophomore guard to have found her shot, as she went into Sunday’s matchup fresh off a 37-point performance in LSU’s 107-100 win over Oklahoma. Williams knocked down seven 3-pointers alone in the win over the Sooners.
“It opens things a lot for your post play,” Mulkey said. “It makes Morrow being an undersized post player a lot easier in there, and it just keeps it from being crowded.”
While Sunday’s performance was not of the magnitude it was on Thursday, it certainly was enough. Not to mention, she had some help.
Johnson finished with 20 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field along with five rebounds and four blocks. The junior guard scored 25 points in the win over Oklahoma, shooting 2-for-5 from three in that win.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, however, the win may not have felt as good as knocking down a shot from deep, despite having much success in doing so.
In a game where LSU won by a comfortable 14 points, the Tigers were outrebounded 49-48.
Aneesah Morrow started the first half slow, but found her rhythm in the second half, finishing the game with another double-double in 18 points and 20 rebounds.
“She never gets tired,” Mulkey said. “That kid is tough as nails, you just can’t imagine.”
Morrow was often working in a mismatch; she was frequently guarded by Mississippi State’s 6-foot-5 center, Quanirah Montague. Morrow and Shayeann Day-Wilson each finished the game with four fouls.
But LSU saw quality minutes from Jersey Wolfenbarger, who scored 12 points along with seven rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes. Wolfenbarger’s role increased due to Sa’Myah Smith’s absence, who could not play in Sunday’s game following her ejection on Thursday.
“I think the coaches provide me with plenty of opportunity, whether it’s coming off the bench or starting,” Wolfenbarger said. “It’s just really where the program needs, the team needs, I’m willing to do.”
In addition to being limited on the boards, the Tigers once again had double-digit turnovers. Fortunately for LSU, Mississippi State offset many of those with 19 turnovers itself, allowing LSU to score an additional 23 points off of Bulldog turnovers.
The Tigers didn’t make the win easy on themselves. Along with LSU’s turnovers, including a time where it turned the ball over four consecutive times, the Tigers also allowed Mississippi State to go on a 12-2 run over two-and-a-half minutes in the second quarter.
Eniya Russell led Mississippi State with 13 points, shooting 5-for-15 from the field, and 3-for-10 from three. Montague also totaled 10 points, and Destiney McPhaul added another 10 points.
LSU has now won its last three games after suffering its first loss to South Carolina on Jan. 24. With those three wins all being in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are set to hit the road.
The Tigers will take on Missouri on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
