It was a top-five showdown in the Lone Star State as No. 5 LSU women’s basketball went on the road to take on No. 4 Texas in a regular-season rematch. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were on the losing side, falling 77-64.
As expected, this game started fast, physical and with shots all around.
For the Tigers, Mikaylah Williams dominated as she scored 13 of her 20 points in the first half while shooting 5-for-7 (71.4%) from the field.
The three-level scorer displayed her arsenal of scoring, knocking down threes and finding her spot in the mid-range. There was a point in the second quarter where Williams scored 11 straight points for the Tigers.
It seemed like any time LSU needed a basket where the game had a chance to slip away, or Texas would create separation, it was Williams with the answer.
While Williams outscored the rest of the starters as the four others combined for 11, the bench provided a good spark for LSU.
ZaKiyah Johnson did not look like a freshman because as soon as she got off the bench, she displayed her toughness and relentless effort on both sides of the ball.
Johnson also had a couple of timely baskets that kept LSU in the game in the third quarter.
Snatching six rebounds in the first half, four of them came on the offensive end. She didn’t hesitate to get her jersey dirty diving on the ground for extra possessions. Johnson finished the game with seven points and seven rebounds.
MiLaysia Fulwiley was all speed, changing the pace of the game and creating turnovers. Amiya Joyner also scored five quick points in the first half and also played a key role in getting Texas’ Kyla Oldacre into foul trouble.
However, while LSU got out to a small lead in the first quarter, the Tigers still trailed by four at the half as nine first-half turnovers and some stagnant possessions contributed to the deficit.
For Texas, it was no other than Madison Booker who got things going for the Longhorns, scoring 12 of her 18 points in the first half.
Booker made her first three shots, and from then on, the game’s storyline was set. She also got help from her teammate, Aaliyah Crump, who scored 11 points off the bench and finished the game with 16 points.
The Longhorns were able to go into the second half with a lead by attacking down low and scoring 12 points in the paint.
The third quarter was another back-and-forth affair, and going into the fourth, the Tigers trailed by four once again.
However, the fourth was an entirely different story.
Rori Harmon was up to her usual pestering activities, as on a night where she became the all-time leading steal leader in Texas history, she was like braces on crooked teeth.
Harmon finished the game with six steals to accompany her 11 points and five assists.
Her defense played an impactful role for Texas as the Longhorns created separation in the fourth, putting more pressure on LSU.
With Harmon being the primary defender on Williams, the Tigers didn’t know where to go offensively. The Texas defense forced countless turnovers, unorganized possessions and even wreaked havoc on the inbound.
“It wasn’t just the turnovers; it was just poor shot selection,” head coach Kim Mulkey said after the game. “That’s the equivalent to me as a turnover, just taking poor shot selections.”
In the fourth quarter, LSU scored only 11 points and shot 3-for-9 (33%) from the field. There was no such thing as a good look for the Tigers, and Texas capitalized on the stifling defensive effort.
“When you play Texas, they’re going to be full court press for 40 minutes, and it’s not going to go away, and you’ve just got to take care of the ball and execute,” Mulkey said. “I just thought they were good; they were hungry and very effective.”
