Tigers Crush Catamounts 107-34, Improve to 3-0

Photo By: The Daily Advertiser

Da Boot Sports
11/13/2022
By: David Penn


      BATON ROUGE, LA - For the second time in program history the #16 LSU Tigers have scored over 100 points a game in three consecutive games. LSU has dispatched its first three opponents of the season by an average of 72.6 points. Not much has changed from a statistical perspective over the course of these games, LSU has scored on average over 50 points off the break and turnovers and out rebounded opponents by wide margins.
    The Tigers were led by Sophomore transfer Angel Reese, who posted her third straight double double after averaging a double double last season for Maryland. Reese scored 17 points and grabbed 15 boards and was in double double territory before half time. LSU was led in scoring by freshman Flau’jae Johnson with 18 points, who did most of her damage from the charity stripe, sinking 10-12 from the free throw line. 
    The Tigers began the game scoring the first 9 points before Western Carolina would drop a 3 pointer to pull within 6 points, but then it was off to the races as LSU would go on run after run. LSU ended the first quarter with a 35-10 lead. The defense would force several shot clock violations throughout the game and out rebounded the Catamounts 60-29. At the half, LSU went to the locker room with a commanding 59-19 advantage.
    LSU would continue to bring stifling defense in the third quarter and Western Carolina only scored three points in the third period, which ended with LSU leading 82-22. Coach Kim Mulkey would sub out all five positions in the final frame, but the defense kept the pressure on and converted several transition opportunities. 
    Feel good story Emily Ward, a walkon that recently earned a scholarship, went 4-4 from the floor and finished with 8 points and 3 rebounds. For the third straight game, only one player on the opposing team managed to score in double figures, Kehinde Obasuyi scored 10 points for Western Carolina. No player on the Western Carolina team grabbed more than five rebounds. LSU improved to 3-0 and Western Carolina fell to 2-1 following the defeat.
    “I’m going to look at the defense first,” Coach Kim Mulkey said. “I thought we did better on some things defensively. I thought especially Jasmine. I thought she gave better ball pressure, got her hands on some things but she also anticipated some things. We didn’t have many turnovers which is always a good thing. We contested shots; We are getting better.”
    LSU will host Houston Christian on Wednesday with an early 11:00am tip at the PMAC. Houston Christian comes to Baton Rouge with a 1-1 record after beating University of Southwest (N.M.) and dropping a game to #22 Nebraska.

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