Right before the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, MiLaysia Fulwiley drilled a three-pointer after a missed free throw from Bella Hines.
That basket from Fulwiley pushed her over the mark for her 1,000th career point in her collegiate career — a major milestone for the junior from Columbia, South Carolina.
As she did so, LSU improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating Alcorn State 112-49.
The Tigers got to work early, leading 57-21 at the half, and even though she came off the bench, it was Fulwiley who had her fingerprints all over the ball.
Scoring 12 points in the first half, Fulwiley continued her excellent play, finishing the game with 18 points and five steals.
While Fulwiley may come off the bench, her impact is irreplaceable.
She leads the team in scoring (17.6), is fourth in assists (2.8), first in steals (4.8), second in blocks (1.2) and fourth in three-point percentage (40%).
One of the key components of her game is high energy and intensity, and you can see it on the court, especially on defense.
She’s a pest on the defensive end.
Entering this game, she’s recorded five straight games with at least three steals, including a career high of eight against Tulane.
Head coach Kim Mulkey has always built her teams around defense, and there’s no one better to help lockdown the perimeter.
“MiLaysia has the quickest hands I think I’ve ever seen,” Mulkey said. “I’ve been blessed to coach some of the greatest guards, but she just has a knack for it, and she could just strip you, but we have to work on making sure when you don’t strip somebody, you can’t just give straight line drives, so she’s got to learn how to do both.”
Her defense is contagious to the team, and it was on full display against Alcorn State. The Tigers forced 16 turnovers in the first half and finished the game with 31 total turnovers.
On the other side of the ball, everyone was finding their way to the basket with 11 different Tigers scoring.
Mikaylah Williams continues to show why she’s one of the best shot creators in the country, having a variety of moves she can go to.
Knocking down open threes, scoring off the dribble and driving to the basket, Williams was able to finish with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals.
The second leading scorer entering this game, Flau’jae Johnson, also joined in on the party, scoring 18 points.
The Tigers outrebounded the Lady Braves 50-16, having another dominant performance on the boards.
Center Kate Koval led the way on the boards with 12 rebounds to accompany her 15 points, as well as Amiya Joyner, who finished with nine rebounds.
Forward Grace Knox led the freshmen with 12 points and specifically made her presence felt on an electrifying block that sent the ball into the crowd.
ZaKiyah Johnson continues to dominate the boards as the second leading rebounder on the team, snagging seven rebounds to go along with her nine points.
The No.1 recruiting class from a year ago continues to show why they’re deserving of the top ranking.
“We’re a pretty passionate and aggressive group,” Knox said. “I feel like we didn’t come in scared or fearful of doing something wrong. I feel like we just came into play hard and be able to show what we can do for the team, and that’s exactly what we’re able to do.”
