SPOKANE, Wash. — It was 490 days ago when Sa’Myah Smith suffered a season-ending injury in the Cayman Islands.
Friday night, she scored 21 points and 11 rebounds in LSU’s 80-73 win over NC State.
“It means a lot,” Smith said. “A lot of people may not know what I’ve been through.”
With LSU’s ticket punched for a trip to the Elite Eight, the journey has come full circle for Smith. On Nov. 24, 2023, Smith suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus against Niagara in the Cayman Islands Classic.
So for the rest of the 2024 season, she was forced to watch not only the majority of the season, but also the team’s trip to the Elite Eight, from the bench.
Smith was set to be a valuable returner to the 2025 team with Angel Reese going to the WNBA, and the team being somewhat thin in the paint.
She started with some notable performances in non-conference play, including a 16-point, 15-rebound performance against Washington in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship semifinal.
However, when SEC play came, Smith had a difficult time with consistency. Prior to January, she averaged 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Apart from being an asset on the glass, Smith did not pick up where she left off.
That was until the NCAA Tournament came.
Smith was two rebounds away from a double-double in LSU’s 103-48 win over San Diego State in the first round of the tournament. From there, her playing time increased and so did her production.
She hit a different gear in the Tigers’ 101-71 win over Florida State, where she scored 20 points along with 12 rebounds and six assists.
“She’s becoming more comfortable,” Mulkey said. “She’s had two knee surgeries, and she is coming off that, and it takes time.”
In a game where Florida State, led by the country’s leading scorer, Ta’Niya Latson, had a tendency to drive to the basket and play downhill, Smith’s presence in the paint was essential.
Where she separated herself, however, was her ball distribution. Her six assists allowed LSU to put up better shots and allowed it to eventually gain separation for a 30-point win and a trip to the Sweet 16.
“Ball reversal, it’s hard to guard,” Smith said. “It was a point of emphasis we wanted to do, especially against [Florida State].”
Smith and her LSU team then traveled to Spokane, Washington, set to face No. 2 seed NC State with a trip back to the Elite Eight on the line.
She hit the gas quickly against the Wolfpack, scoring eight points along with four rebounds in the first quarter. While she and Aneesah Morrow were somewhat contained in the paint in the second quarter, she bounced back in the third with five more points and three rebounds.
Through three quarters, Smith was up to 15 points and nine rebounds. NC State, however, continued to challenge LSU and started to build a lead as the fourth quarter dwindled down.
NC State led by three with two minutes left in the game, but Smith made a layup to cut the Wolfpack’s lead to one.
When Mikaylah Williams gave LSU the lead back with just over a minute left to play, NC State’s Zoe Brooks went in for a jump shot to give NC State the lead back.
But Smith blocked the shot, and LSU was able to regain possession after Brooks was called for a foul.
“I’m super proud of Sa’Myah, finally gaining her confidence back after her injury,” Williams said.
Smith then made two free throws to give LSU a three-point lead. With nine seconds left in the game, Smith came up with a rebound off of a missed three by Aziaha James. She was fouled again, and sent to the foul line.
To seal the game, Smith gave LSU the seven-point lead it would finish with two made free throws.
“Sa’Myah is like a quiet assassin,” Morrow said. “We’ve known that all year.”
Smith may be quiet, but her performances in March have been loud. On Sunday, LSU’s “quiet assassin” hopes to ride the momentum and the confidence she holds.
“I don’t say that a lot, but I’m super proud of myself as far as I’ve come,” Smith said. “Games like this, you can only keep building confidence.”
