In front of a raucous, sold-out crowd in Norman-the first for Oklahoma women’s basketball since 2009-LSU didn’t just show up. The sixth-ranked Tigers made a statement.
Behind a commanding performance from senior Flau’jae Johnson and a breakout game by sophomore Jada Richard, LSU rolled past No. 13 Oklahoma, 91-72, on Sunday afternoon at the Lloyd Noble Center.
This one had the energy of March, but LSU brought the composure of a team built for big moments. The Tigers weathered an early Sooner surge, then steadily took control, flexing their depth, physicality, and poise down the stretch.
The win marks LSU’s third straight victory in SEC play, improving to 17-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference. Oklahoma, meanwhile, slips to 14-4 and 2-3 in the Big 12, now riding a three-game skid.
Flau’jae Johnson: The Engine
When LSU needed a steadying force, Johnson delivered. The senior guard put together a complete performance-dropping a double-double with points and rebounds, while also adding three assists, a steal, and three blocks. Her presence was felt on both ends of the floor, whether she was crashing the glass, protecting the rim, or setting the tone offensively.
Johnson’s impact was most evident during LSU’s second-quarter push. With Oklahoma hanging around, she scored nine in the frame and helped extend the Tigers’ lead to double digits. Her combination of strength and savvy was simply too much for the Sooners to handle.
Jada Richard Steps Into the Spotlight
If Johnson was the anchor, Jada Richard was the spark. The sophomore guard poured in a career-high 21 points, showing off her scoring versatility and confidence in the moment. She added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals to round out a performance that felt like a coming-out party on a national stage.
Richard played with a fearlessness that LSU fans have been waiting to see. Whether she was pulling up in transition or attacking the rim, she looked every bit the part of a player ready to take on a larger role in this Tigers rotation.
Free Throws and Physicality: LSU’s Winning Formula
LSU didn’t just win this game with talent-they won it with toughness. The Tigers lived at the free throw line, converting 29-of-33 attempts (a scorching 87.9%).
That’s not just efficiency-it’s a sign of a team that’s attacking the paint, drawing contact, and imposing its will. Oklahoma, by contrast, didn’t attempt a single free throw until the third quarter and finished just 8-of-12 from the stripe.
That disparity told the story of the game. LSU was aggressive, disciplined, and relentless. They forced the Sooners into foul trouble, controlled the tempo, and never let Oklahoma get comfortable.
Balanced Scoring, Bench Depth
This wasn’t a two-player show. LSU got meaningful contributions up and down the roster.
Freshman Grace Knox chipped in 13 points, while juniors Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley added 10 and 12, respectively. That kind of balance makes LSU especially dangerous.
When defenses key in on Johnson or Richard, there’s no shortage of capable scorers ready to step up.
Game Flow: From Early Deficit to Dominant Finish
The game didn’t start in LSU’s favor. Oklahoma came out firing, knocking down three triples and jumping to an 11-2 lead.
But LSU didn’t flinch. The Tigers responded with a 9-0 run to tie things up, then closed the first quarter strong to take a 24-16 lead.
By halftime, LSU had built a 45-35 advantage, thanks in large part to Johnson’s assertiveness and Richard’s timely buckets. The Tigers had also gone 11-of-14 from the free throw line in the first half-while the Sooners had yet to attempt a single one.
Oklahoma made a push in the third, trimming the deficit to five. But LSU answered with a 7-2 run out of the media timeout, then stretched the lead to 18 heading into the fourth.
From there, it was all Tigers. They pushed the lead to as many as 24, and even when Oklahoma made a late push to cut it to 13, LSU slammed the door shut with a final burst to seal the 19-point win.
What’s Next
LSU now sets its sights on Texas A&M, with a Thursday night road matchup in Bryan-College Station. The Tigers are heating up at the right time, and if they can carry this momentum into conference play, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the SEC.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a showcase of what LSU can be when everything clicks. Johnson leading with veteran poise, Richard emerging as a scoring threat, and the entire team buying into the physical, aggressive brand of basketball that wins games in January-and beyond.