On Sunday afternoon, LSU women’s basketball took on the University of Texas-Arlington in its second-to-last non-conference game.
The Tigers defeated the Mavericks 113-45 to remain undefeated.
LSU’s players had a noticeable extra color with the shoes they were wearing. Earlier this week, LSU took a visit to Our Lady of the Lakes Children’s Hospital to decorate sneakers with patients.
With those shoes on display today, LSU’s feet were consistently in the right position defensively on Sunday. The Tigers showed off the defensive power they can offer to bring the season all the way to the end.
“I thought we tried to stop straight line drives and keep people out of the paint,” head coach Kim Mulkey said.
This game quickly became the MiLaysia Fulwiley show; the junior guard did not come to play against the Mavericks. Through all four quarters, her stamina never wavered, and her brutal physicality this game produced 23 points — 17 of which were scored in the second half — seven rebounds and five steals.
After LSU made 47% of its shots in the first quarter, the Tigers caught fire by shooting 56% over the next two quarters, helping the Tigers get to over 100 points.
The Tigers have now scored 100 in 10 out of 13 games, made possible by utilizing a quick offense that’s able to move down the court.
Freshman forward Grace Knox scored 25 points and recorded the second double-double of her LSU career while going 5-of-6 at the free throw line.
“Man, she is just an athlete. Good lord,” Mulkey said. “You can’t block her out, can’t keep her from flying to the board and she finishes in traffic. She works really hard defensively for a freshman. She’s going to make mistakes, but her mistakes are done with effort, and she might have had her best game here at LSU.”
Over the course of the entire game, LSU took a visit to the free throw line 40 times compared to UT Arlington’s 24 trips to the line. The Mavericks played a very physically demanding game that even led to sophomore forward Kate Koval being fouled out.
Although the Tigers walked away with over 100 points and 40 trips to the line, LSU only made 27% of the free throws attempted, making for plenty of points left out there.
In LSU’s last game, there was concern for the defense’s performance, with Mulkey pointing out a lack of discipline. After the Tigers only allowed 45 points today, though there’s work to be done, the concern has been put to rest for the time being until LSU takes on Alabama State on Sunday.
