BATON ROUGE – LSU women’s basketball fans got to see the highly-anticipated debut of MiLaysia Fulwiley in an LSU uniform in an exhibition against Mississippi College Thursday night.
With stars Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams teaming up with Fulwiley for the first time, the Tigers dominated the Choctaws, 148-46, in front of a sporadic crowd inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Advertisement
Fulwiley was second on the Tigers in scoring with 17 points, 13 of those coming in the second half. Six players scored in double figures while LSU’s defense held Mississippi College to just 24% shooting.
MILAYSIA FULWILEY DETAILS HER DECISION TO TRANSFER TO LSU
Kim Mulkey starts Jada Richard at point guard, no MiLaysia Fulwiley in starting five
It’s an exhibition, so it’s probably prudent to not read too much into LSU’s starting five before the season opener against Houston Christian gets here but in this particular team’s first dress rehearsal, sophomore Jada Richard got the nod at point guard.
Richard has had far more time in Mulkey’s system than Fulwiley, the South Carolina star transfer, so her starting didn’t come as a surprise. After the game, Mulkey said she’s not sure if Richard or Fulwiley will start once the regular season arrives.
Advertisement
“Learning point guard (for Fulwiley) is probably a little challenging right now,” Mulkey said. “Now I’m trying to get her to do what Jada does. Jada’s been a point guard her whole life. I want Lay to be able to go to either position comfortably and she’s not comfortable yet.”
Fulwiley checked into the game at the 5:48 first-quarter mark and immediately made an impact on the offensive end. In her first couple of minutes of action, she had 4 points, one rebound and a highlight-reel behind-the-back assist before a pickpocket steal off an inbound pass that she quickly turned to points.
Both point guards had a nice outing for LSU. Richard had 9 points with six assists and four rebounds.
LSU women’s basketball newcomers that impressed
Mississippi College isn’t to the caliber of any of the teams on LSU’s regular season schedule but there are some things we can glean from the exhibition game.
Advertisement
Freshman ZaKiyah Johnson appears set to be a key piece for this Tigers team. Her guard background while playing inside will add depth to what the five on the floor can do with her in the lineup. She rebounded well and at times, she helped bring the ball up the court.
ZaKiyah Johnson made 11 of her first 12 shots and led the team in scoring at halftime with 15 points. She ended with a double-double including a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s my grit,” Johson said after the game. “My teammates make it comfortable in practice, outside of basketball too. As soon as I got on the court I knew. I felt like me, I felt like I always do when I step on the court.”
It’s easy to see what kind of effect senior center Amiya Joyner is going to have for LSU. Big-bodied and durable on the post and can finish through contact. She finished the game with 15 points and seven boards.
Advertisement
Sharing the basketball going to be key for LSU women’s basketball
Between Williams, Flau’jae Johnson, Fulwiley, Richard and Divine Bourrage among a couple others, this team is extremely capable of effectively passing the ball and doing it in exciting ways.
LSU had four different players finish with at least four assists. Williams had a team-high seven assists and Richard each had six dimes. The Tigers amassed 29 assists against the Choctaws.
Kate Koval records double-double
All of LSU’s bigs were efficient on offense and Notre Dame transfer Kate Koval pieced together a highlight debut in purple and gold.
Advertisement
The 6-7 forward put up 14 points and 10 rebounds. Koval was 6 of 8 from the field as she scored in a multitude of ways from her back being to the basket as well as front-facing her defender.
What Kim Mulkey said about LSU’s win over Mississippi College
Obviously, the Choctaws don’t quite compare to South Carolina, Texas or Duke so the game tonight was all about the things LSU was working on.
“We’re not going to watch the entire film. We’re going to watch to have constructive criticism,” Mulkey said. “If it’s a set we’re in, why didn’t we run that? It’s teaching and not looking at the opponent.
“I do think this, we’re not doing a good enough job keeping people on the perimeter in front of us at all. Foul too much. We’re fouling stopping the clock. Those are the things you teach from a game like this. “
Advertisement
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: What stood out in LSU women’s basketball’s win v Mississippi College
