LSU Roars Back with Dominant Win Over Auburn, Refocuses Ahead of South Carolina Clash
After a tough road loss to Texas, LSU didn’t just bounce back-they made a statement. On Sunday afternoon in Auburn, the Tigers from Baton Rouge dismantled their SEC counterparts with a commanding 77-44 win, putting the clamps on Auburn early and never letting up.
From the opening tip, LSU’s defense came out with purpose. Auburn was held to single-digit scoring in each of the first two quarters, a testament to LSU’s intensity and discipline on that end of the floor. The message was clear: this team wasn’t going to dwell on Thursday’s misstep-they were going to respond.
“I saw what I expected,” head coach Kim Mulkey said postgame. “We aren’t the kind of team that throws a pity party. We get back on our game.”
And get back they did. LSU’s offense found its rhythm in the first half, putting up 36 points while holding Auburn to just 10-of-60 shooting for the game. The Tigers shot 13-for-30 from the field in the opening half, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was more than enough given the defensive clinic they were putting on.
Auburn tried to muddy the waters, slowing the tempo and grinding down possessions, but LSU didn’t blink. Even with the game dragging into a more physical, slower-paced battle, LSU kept its composure. The lead continued to grow, and the focus shifted from simply winning to executing the fundamentals-something that slipped away late in their previous outing.
Freshman Zakiyah Johnson was a standout once again, showing poise beyond her years. In just 22 minutes, she dropped 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, making her presence felt on both ends of the court. Johnson’s energy and efficiency gave LSU a spark every time she touched the ball.
She wasn’t alone. Mikaylah Williams and Flau’Jae Johnson joined her in leading the scoring charge, with Williams finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Flau’Jae adding 10 points of her own. The trio played with confidence and cohesion, feeding off each other’s movement and unselfishness.
That unselfishness is something Mulkey has been preaching all season. LSU doesn’t need one player to dominate the ball-they thrive when everyone touches it, when the offense flows through crisp passing and smart decisions. That ball movement was back in full force on Sunday, especially in the second half when the pace picked up and LSU found more open looks.
Auburn did its best to turn up the pressure defensively in the third quarter, but it played right into LSU’s hands. The faster tempo allowed LSU to find its rhythm offensively, and they responded by pulling further away. Even with some bumps-like the 19 turnovers LSU committed-the Tigers stayed in control.
There were a few quiet performances from regular contributors like Grace Knox and Amiya Joyner, who didn’t dominate in their usual fashion, but the team’s foundation held strong. LSU stuck to its principles, leaned into its depth, and let the game come to them.
With the win, LSU now turns its focus to a massive showdown on Saturday night against South Carolina-arguably the biggest game on their regular season calendar. If they want to knock off the top team in the country, they’ll need to clean up the turnovers and bring the same defensive intensity that smothered Auburn.
But make no mistake-this was a statement win. LSU didn’t just bounce back. They reminded everyone exactly who they are.