A strong second half and a trademark Aneesah Morrow game brought LSU a 91-73 win over a stubborn UIC team.
The Tigers’ typical strengths and weaknesses showed up throughout the game in Chicago. A slow start but a strong second half, too many turnovers and the unflinching reliability of Aneesah Morrow.
Morrow led the Tigers in rebounds, steals and blocks and was second in points and assists.
The game took place just 12 miles north of where she went to high school at Simeon Career Academy.
Along with Morrow’s family, many from her elementary school and high school were also in attendance for the game.
LSU started cold, going 1-for-8 from the field. A nice crossover for two by Flau’jae Johnson, followed by her own three and another by Mikaylah Williams woke up the offense.
The Flames refused to burn out all night. Their pesky defense provoked LSU to force bad passes and take lower-percentage shots.
Defensive tenacity shows up in both team’s stats in turnovers and 3-pointers. LSU finished with 13 turnovers and attempted 17 shots from three. UIC finished with 19 turnovers and 24 attempts from three.
“I thought I was watching the all-star game, see who could shoot the most threes and make them,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said.
In the first half they stayed with LSU in rebounds and shooting efficiency. They shot 40% from three and consistently made awkward contested shots within the arc.
But out of the half, LSU was strong. The Tigers went on a 12-0 run, much thanks to their fair share of free throws. UIC started 0-for-7 from the field. LSU out rebounded the Flames by 10 in that quarter alone.
In the fourth quarter, UIC stayed even with LSU, who started hitting shots with more frequency. That effort was not enough and LSU prevailed, winning 91-73.
Though satisfied with the victory, Mulkey was underwhelmed by the 73 points allowed to a now 2-6 UIC team.
“We don’t defend like it matters,” Mulkey said. “We defend like we’re better than you, and we’re gonna outscore you, and that just bothers me.”
Johnson finished 7-for-15 with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Johnson drew a number of fouls and hit a couple well timed threes.
Williams was 6-for-17, ending with 17 points, two rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
The face of the game was Morrow, and not just for the game’s geographic significance for her.
After starting 1-for-7, she finished 8-for-16 with 19 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and four steals. Throughout all of this, Morrow was frequently doubled.
“I always tell my teammates that I want them to know that they can always depend on me to show up every night,” Morrow said.
Her efficiency under the rim and 3-point shooting showed off her versatility.
Morrow now has 86 double-doubles in her DI career, which now puts her at sixth all-time.
From fighting a double-team to converting behind the arc, Morrow is the perfect marriage of versatile and consistent. On Thursday night she proved that to her hometown with a 91-73 LSU win over UIC.
