Kim Mulkey’s LSU team wasted no time putting its stamp on the preseason.
Already ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll, the Lady Tigers rolled through two exhibition wins last week, first over UNT Dallas and then Loyola, and the latest showing was the kind of lopsided result that sends a clear message. LSU beat Loyola New Orleans 119-54, and the numbers told the story from start to finish.
The Tigers were sharp everywhere. They shot 60.5% from the field and 47.4% from three, while piling up 61 points in the first half alone. LSU never trailed and kept control throughout, turning the game into a showcase of pace, pressure and depth.
That depth is one of the biggest takeaways from the preseason. Mulkey’s roster goes 11 deep, and the rotation is built around 6 to 7 players on the front line, with four guards, a center and two forwards forming the first line of defense. This wasn’t just a strong night from the starters; it was a reminder that the Lady Tigers have plenty of options behind them.
The ball security gap was massive, too. LSU finished with only eight turnovers, while Loyola committed 31. On the defensive end, the Tigers forced the issue with 22 steals compared to Loyola’s 3, showing the kind of aggression Mulkey can lean on when the season gets rolling.
A few players stood out in a big way. Senior guard Mikaylah Williams scored 23 points, going 5-for-6 from three and 9-for-14 from the field.
Senior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley made her presence felt defensively, finishing with eight steals to lead the team. Sophomore guard ZaKiyah Johnson added 22 points on 10-for-16 shooting, giving another glimpse of how much firepower LSU has even outside the starting five.
Johnson isn’t in the opening lineup, but she’s part of a trusted rotation in Mulkey’s system, along with freshman Lola Lampley and senior Lalia Reynolds.
For LSU, the preseason was a first look at a group that already looks comfortable, deep and dangerous. After two blowout exhibition wins, Mulkey’s sixth team in Baton Rouge has made its early point loud and clear.
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The line was historic even before the final snap, as Burrow became just the second quarterback in NFL history to post 450 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in the same game, matching a mark set by Norm Van Brocklin in 1951. Burrow also threw three interceptions, a reminder of how chaotic the night was, but the Bengals will take the result and the latest entry in their quarterbacks growing record of rare performances. [Read more 🡒]