In a game showcasing dominance and resilience, the No. 7 LSU Tigers secured their sixth straight victory of the 2024-25 season, outlasting a determined Tulane Green Wave squad 85-74 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge.
The night’s story was Flau’jae Johnson, who delivered another stellar performance with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. This marked her third consecutive game with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists, cementing her position as one of college basketball’s rising stars. “The kid has a motor,” Coach Kim Mulkey praised.
“Like in life, you want to be around people with energy and enthusiasm. She never stops.” Tulane’s fierce fourth-quarter comeback nearly turned what appeared to be a comfortable victory into a thrilling contest. After LSU built a 20-point lead heading into the final frame, the Green Wave unleashed a stunning 17-4 run that cut the deficit to seven points.
However, LSU’s championship pedigree shone through in the clutch moments. The Tigers locked down defensively in the final three minutes, preventing Tulane from scoring a single basket to secure the win.
Aneesah Morrow continued her impressive start to the season, recording her nation-leading fifth double-double with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Her relentless energy on both ends of the floor proved crucial in maintaining LSU’s perfect record.
The game featured several notable individual performances:
- Jersey Wolfenbarger reached a season-high 15 points, adding eight rebounds and two blocks.
- Sa’Myah Smith contributed 9 points and seven rebounds.
- Tulane’s Kyren Whittington led her team with 24 points, including 20 in the second half.
- Tulane’s Victoria Keenan lit up the first half with seven 3-pointers, but Johnson’s lockdown defense kept her scoreless in the second half.
LSU’s offensive strategy was clear from the opening tip, as they aggressively attacked the paint. The Tigers scored 46 points in the lane, demonstrating their ability to dominate inside against smaller opponents.
“We had a 20-point lead on them, and they never went away,” Mulkey noted after the game. “If they play like that going forward in their conference, I think they will win many basketball games.”
The victory improves LSU’s record to 6-0, with all wins coming by double digits. With an average of 95.8 points per game and a defense limiting opponents to just 48.6 points, the Tigers continue demonstrating why they rank among the nation’s elite.
Looking ahead, LSU appears poised for another deep tournament run, with Johnson and Morrow forming one of the most formidable duos in college basketball. Their scoring, rebounding, and defensive intensity give Coach Mulkey’s squad a foundation for success against any opponent.
Despite falling to 1-3, the Green Wave showed remarkable fight and resilience, particularly in their fourth-quarter surge. Their performance against a top-10 team suggests they could be a force in their conference as the season progresses.
As the Tigers continue their campaign, they’ll look to maintain their perfect record while building on the chemistry that’s made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in women’s college basketball.