The saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm,” and for an early-morning tip-off between LSU women’s basketball and Alabama, it was LSU that came away with the worm and the victory with a 103-63 victory.
The Tigers got going with head coach Kim Mulkey’s favorite thing: defense.
Forcing Alabama into tough shot selections, drawing offensive fouls, blocking shots, getting steals and forcing over-the-back violations, all made for a stifling effort defensively.
LSU created 11 turnovers in the first half alone and held Alabama to only 39.3% from the field and 29 first-half points.
Turning those defensive possessions into points, with 11 of them coming off turnovers and 14 from fastbreak points.
As a team, LSU finished with 11 blocks and nine steals.
“I always say blocking shots is one of my favorite things to do in a basketball game,” Kate Koval said. “It just brings so much energy, and we just get hyped for each other. So I feel like it definitely is contagious.”
On offense, the Tigers dominated during the first 20 minutes, scoring 49 points while shooting 57.6% from the field and 62.5% from the 3-point line.
Mikaylah Williams scored 11 of her 15 points in the first half, shooting all over the floor. She knocked down her usual mid-range jumpshots and stepped out to the 3-point line.
The Tigers also got a big boost from their bench to start the game, with freshman ZaKiyah Johnson scoring 11 first half points, who ended the game with a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Amiya Joyner also chipped in nine points, four rebounds and two blocks off the bench
There were multiple plays in transition or attacking the basket in the half court, where the Tigers made the extra pass to find their open teammate for a better shot.
LSU finished the game with 20 assists as a team, showing that the Tigers weren’t afraid to share the ball either.
“I think all of us know we’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of talent, a lot of people that can score the ball, but sometimes in that moment, we think, as a player, this bucket, ‘I’m shooting it’ and that’s okay, but man, think how crazy the crowd goes and how your teammates go crazy when you share it,” Mulkey said. “That’s just unselfish play.”
They even added a little flair with guards like Jada Richard and MiLaysia Fulwiley dropping off a few no-look passes that got the crowd off their feet.
The energy continued into the second half with more hustle plays and more intensity.
Koval got the start after an impressive showing on both ends of the court during her last game against Arkansas, and once again brought the effort that was contagious like a cough during flu season.
Picking pockets and getting steals, the 6-foot-5-inch forward was even able to live her dreams as a guard and got out in transition for the layup. She finished the game with eight points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
The Tigers didn’t slow down at all, continuing to suffocate the Crimson Tide and get out to a lead as large as 42 points.
Usually, when LSU gets out to large margin victories, you expect the veterans like Williams or Flau’jae Johnson to be the ones leading the charge for the Tigers. Yet, it was the other players, such as Richard, Fulwiley and Bella Hines, who played in the second half.
“She doesn’t have to do as much, probably on the offensive end, as she’s had to, and it’s the same way with Mikaylah,” Mulkey said after the Arkansas game. “They’re enjoying, I’ll call it their basketball team, because that’s your two captains.”
Hines was all over the place, drawing her signature charges and getting multiple and-one plays on offense.
Fulwiley got her rhythm back, playing the majority of the second half after struggling to find her shot in the last game against Arkansas.
It didn’t change who she was as she continued to dish flashy passes, as she drove the lane and played lockdown defense.
All 11 players who logged minutes for the Tigers scored as LSU eclipsed 100 points once again this season.
