Angel Reese returns and all is right with the world
Stop me when you’ve heard this one before: the LSU women’s basketball team won a massive game against Virginia Tech.
In a rematch of last year’s Final Four game, LSU (8-1) beat the Hokies (5-2) 82-64 Thursday night in the PMAC as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge.
The game started off precariously as Virginia Tech had a 20-13 lead in the first quarter, but LSU’s defense cranked the intensity up to 11 and the Tigers outscored the Hokies 22-9 in the second quarter.
Angel Reese returned to the lineup after missing the last four games and had 19 points and 9 rebounds. She was one of four Tigers to crack double digit points. Aneesah Morrow also had 19 points and 15 rebounds, Flau’Jae Johnson had 13 points, and Mikaylah Williams continues to play well beyond years as the freshman sensation had 20 points. Williams has had three 20-point games this season.
“We knew Virginia Tech from the Final Four and that was beneficial, but it was about us tonight,” Reese said. “Nobody comes into our house and takes things from us. You see how many people were in double figures tonight. We all play for each other and love playing good team basketball together.”
The win was also the 700th in head coach’s Kim Mulkey’s career. Mulkey is the fastest coach to reach 700 wins—men’s or women’s basketball—ever. Mulkey did it in 813 games, surpassing UConn’s Geno Auriemma who did it in 822.
“These victories are special to me, but my impact on these girls is the most important,” Mulkey said. “All in all, reaching 700 victories is nice, but I am most proud of my basketball team and where they have come.”
LSU has five more games to go before SEC play opens on January 4 against Missouri. The Tigers will take all of next week off before returning to the court to take on ULL next Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 P.M.