LSU’s women’s basketball team came out on top against the Mississippi State Bulldogs 81-67 on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers ended the day with a strong defensive performance and found help from one of their depth pieces, Jersey Wolfenbarger.
Jersey Wolfenbarger, the 6’5 junior from Fort Smith, Arkansas, stepped into the starting lineup for Sa’Myah Smith and created an impact for the Tigers on both ends of the floor as she recorded a season high of 12 points and 7 rebounds.
“When we prepare, Kim Mulkey always talks about playing hard but playing disciplined, and that was going to be a big key in this game,” Wolfenbarger said. “We don’t have the depth with Sa’Myah [Smith] being out, so going in there playing hard and aggressive and understanding we cannot get into foul trouble.”
Leaders on the team, like Flau’Jae Johnson, spoke highly of her teammate. Despite a 20 point performance, one of the many aspects her teammates love about her is sharing the spotlight and giving credit to her teammates when they deserve it.
“Jersey has an advantage on so many people, she’s a tall post but moves like a guard,” Johnson said. “We need her to use what she’s got to her advantage, so it’s good to see her come out of her shell and we need that to move forward going into the tournament.”
The Tigers held the bulldogs to 35% shooting from the field and forced 19 turnovers in Sunday’s contest. Coach Mulkey highlighted how the players must continue to play like themselves and stay true to their game.
“Jersey, Sa’Myah, they have to continue to find their own identity,” Mulkey said. ‘These guys are following in the footsteps of, I guess you can say, Angel Reese. We don’t expect them to be Angel Reese. Do what you are capable of doing.”
Physicality was the theme of the game for the Tigers. After this past Thursday’s matchup against Oklahoma, they allowed a season high of 100 points on their home court. They re-established a strong defensive performance and continued their momentum in conference play.
Sunday’s performance was a tall tale sign that this team is ready to move forward in their next game against the Missouri Tigers on Tuesday.