LSU women’s basketball beats Tennessee. The last time Tennessee and Kim Mulkey’s Tigers played, the result was a two-point loss in the Sotheastern Conference Tournament.
On this occasion, though, LSU traveled to Knoxville and prevailed 75–60.
The Tigers had to change for survival. Tennessee’s ability to restrict LSU in the paint and limit the Tigers at the foul line was crucial to their victory. The Volunteers were effective in doing that during the first half.
In order to maintain its advantage and win the game, LSU had to gradually increase its lead as Tennessee got closer to scoring multiple times in the second half.
In the end, LSU shot 6-for-15 (40%) from three-point range and 29-for-88 (33%) overall.
Van Lith scored a team-high 26 points in the end, which is her highest point total since moving to LSU.
The transfer guard from Louisville, Kentucky finished with three assists, seven rebounds, and a 9-for-18 field goal and 4-for-5 three-point shooting percentage.
However, as Tennessee began to pick up steam in the second half, Van Lith’s scoring output was especially crucial. In the second half, she scored two of her four 3-pointers and sixteen of her 26 points.
“Hailey has received a great deal of criticism, and it must end. She’s getting used to a new role,” Mulkey remarked. “She made big shots when we needed them.”
Van Lith appeared to have the ideal blend of playing her game and playing the point, which is different from how she usually plays at Louisville. Van Lith could pass the ball, but she also assumed accountability for efficient scoring when the team needed it.
LSU’s explosive fourth quarter
After being outscored in the third quarter, Van Lith assisted LSU in mounting a comeback of their own. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers outscored Tennessee 27–15, shooting 50% from three and 45.5% from the field.
Additionally, Mikaylah Williams contributed during the fourth quarter. In the end, she shot 1-for-5 from three-point range and 7-for-18 from the field, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists. She scored six of her fifteen points in the fourth quarter.
With nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Flau’jae Johnson had an impact despite shooting blankly from beyond the 3-point line. Her nine points, five of them came in the fourth quarter.
Angel Reese was contained until she wasn’t
Tennessee’s priority was to contain Angel Reese both all-around in the paint and at the foul line. In the first half, the Volunteers accomplished that.
But Reese found a window in the second half and took advantage.
She finished the game with a double-double in 11 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 4-for-19 from the field and 3-for-6 from the foul line. Of her 11 points, eight of them came in the second half.
It took until just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter for Reese to get on the board, a jumper that came from just outside the key. Reese first appeared at the foul line with just under two minutes in the second quarter, where she made one of two free throws.
Much of this is accredited to Tennessee center, Tamari Key, and her defensive efforts in the paint. Key finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
“Tamari Key is pretty tall. We knew she would be guarding Angel,” Mulkey said. “Her size altered shots.”
While Tennessee contained Reese’s scoring, her rebounding presence always remained forceful. Reese grabbed 16 of LSU’s 57 rebounds as a team.
Aneesah Morrow stepped up as much as possible given Tennessee’s efforts to control LSU’s scoring in the paint. She finished with eight points and 13 rebounds.
Tennessee’s big third quarter
The Volunteers’ scoring came alive in the third quarter, as they cut LSU’s lead to as low as two points in the third quarter. Tennessee outscored the Tigers 19-10 in the third quarter, where LSU shot 4-for-18 as a team.
“In the third, we lost our composure a bit,” Mulkey said. “But Tennessee made us lose our composure. When you’re down, you play a little harder.”
However, Tennessee finished the game shooting 31% from the field, and just 16% from three. Of the team’s 18 attempted 3-pointers, they made three.
In addition to its lack of 3-point makes, Tennessee also had 10 turnovers compared to LSU’s seven. LSU outscored Tennessee 21-8 in fastbreak points, and 12-3 in points off of turnovers.
Obstacles like these stood in the Volunteer’s way to support its third quarter surge.
Rickea Jackson, who’s projected to be a top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, finished with a team-high 16 points and nine rebounds. Of her 16 points, six came in the third quarter.
Tess Darby scored nine points, shooting 3-for-6 from the field and 2-for-5 from three.
Jasmine Powell added eight points along with six rebounds and seven assists, and Sara Puckett added seven points and eight rebounds. FOR MORE UPDATES CLICK….
