There’s no better way to start a tournament than with physicality, fouls and intense moments.
LSU women’s basketball began its conference tournament run on Friday afternoon by defeating the No. 5 seed Oklahoma Sooners in the quarterfinals, 112-78. In the semifinals, it will soon face rival South Carolina again.
It’s the 14th 100-point game for the Tigers this season, now only one game away from tying the record for the most in a single season.
After both teams started trading baskets, the game became choppy, with double fouls and bodies falling all over the floor.
Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers and LSU’s Kate Koval were one example of this, as the two bigs got tangled up in the first half, resulting in a double foul. While they had some words for one another, nothing escalated.
The Tigers and the Sooners combined for 23 first-half fouls and limited any potential flow to the game.
When the game finally gained traction, LSU started hot. Leading 45-33 at the half, the Tigers won the first two quarters statistically speaking. On offense, they shot 17-for-32 (53%) from the field and 5-for-9 (56%) from the 3-point line.
Seven different Tigers scored, and to end the half, freshman guard Bella Hines came away with a steal and found Jada Richard on the fast break, who dumped it off to Amiya Joyner for the and-one right as the buzzer sounded to cap off a 14-3 run.
The defensive effort was also on point for LSU as it held the Sooners to 9-for-35 (25.7%) from the field and 3-for-12 (25%). Beers was a non-factor, only scoring two points, as well as being in foul trouble.
What kept Oklahoma in the game were the fouls and 12 turnovers.
However, the Tigers began to separate themselves from Oklahoma and kept them at arm’s length in the second half.
A big reason for LSU’s success was the performance of Jada Richard. After scoring five points in the first half, she ended the game with 13 points, three assists and two steals.
On top of being productive on the offensive end, her defense against Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez also played a pivotal role. While Chavez did finish the game with 20 points, the effort from Richard was prominent.
She fought over screens, kept her in front of her and forced her into difficult shots. The last time she faced Oklahoma, she held Chavez to 11 points and 21.4% shooting. Richard has proven to be a talented defender by constantly giving one of the best freshmen in the country problems.
The offense was contagious for multiple players on LSU.
MiLaysia Fuliwley’s hot streak continued as she finished the game with 22 points, seven assists and three blocks. The Sixth Woman of the Year left no doubt after securing the award earlier in the week and carries that momentum into the next round against her former team.
Flau’jae Johnson has gone through a dry spell over the last few games, but that changed against Oklahoma, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter and finishing with 21 points on 8-for-15 (53.3%) shooting.
Coming late in the fourth quarter, Johnson made history by becoming the sixth player in program history to score 2,000 points in her career.
It’s been a long career for Johnson, and now she continues to add accolades to her long resume. Mikaylah Williams also had a quiet yet efficient 14 points on 5-for-9 (55.5%) shooting.
After securing the blowout victory, LSU now inches closer to the SEC championship but will first have to get past the reigning conference tournament champs, South Carolina, in the semifinals.
