LSU was able to send off Flau’jae Johnson in the best possible manner Sunday afternoon at the PMAC.
Johnson, a four-year starter for the Tigers, scored 24 points in her final home game. Understand that none of those points from Johnson could be considered as crucial.
Texas Tech may be a power conference team, but LSU handled the Red Raiders in the same manner as it did against Jacksonville two days earlier.
It just took the Tigers a little longer before they started routing Texas Tech.
LSU didn’t turn the game into a total mismatch until the third quarter before breaking the 100-point mark and posting another 50 point-plus victory,
LSU advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament for a fourth consecutive year with a 101-47 victory over the Red Raiders.
Now, it’s getting close to the time for the Tigers to face some serious competition. The regional semifinals for LSU will begin Friday night in Sacramento with their opponent being Duke. The Tigers already recorded a 16-point victory over the Blue Devils this season.
Boredom will not exist much longer. The best women’s basketball teams are just one victory away for LSU. If the Tigers reach the national title game, their opposition in the final three matchups could come from this group – UCLA, South Carolina, Texas and U Conn.
Johnson and Mikaylah Williams were outstanding in their final joint performance at home. Like Johnson, Williams scored 24 points. Johnson was 9-of-13 from the field, and Williams was 9-of-15 from the field. Williams also accounted for seven rebounds and four assists.
LSU went into halftime with a 43-25 advantage. The duo provided 27 of the 43 points – 14 from Williams and 13 from Johnson. MiLaysia Fulwiley, the other member of the LSU ‘Big Three,’ stepped into the background Sunday with a mere two points in 16 minutes.
Texas Tech witnessed the explosive nature of the Tigers in each quarter. It took the Red Raiders almost five minutes to score their first points as they fell behind 10-0. In that stretch, Texas Tech missed six shots and committed four turnovers.
LSU opened the second quarter with 12 straight points to open a comfortable 31-14 lead. In that span, the Red Raiders missed four field goal attempts and made six turnovers.
Texas Tech scored the first basket of the third quarter. The Tigers proceeded to hit the Red Raiders with a 13-0 run. Texas Tech missed seven consecutive shots and committed one turnover.
Finally, LSU scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter. In that stretch, the Red Raiders missed three shots and were guilty of three turnovers. So, the Tigers outscored Texas Tech 44-0 in those four spurts which lasted about 14 minutes of playing time.
Do not expect such outbursts next weekend. Duke is not the same team LSU faced in early December. The Blue Devils lost to Baylor by six points in their season-opener. Duke beat the Bears by 25-plus points Sunday.
Following LSU’s victory at Cameron Indoor Arena some three months ago, the Blue Devils’ record sat at 3-6. Duke has won 23 of 25 games since that night.
Still, the Tigers will be heavily favored over the Blue Devils. However, there will be no more soft touches after LSU’s next game.
