Flau’jae Johnson leads LSU to much-needed win at Georgia

There were a few things that Kim Mulkey changed for LSU women’s basketball as her team searched for its first Southeastern Conference win on the season at Georgia Thursday night.

One pillar of her program fueled the Tigers to the 80-59 victory over the Bulldogs inside Stegeman Coliseum. LSU’s defense paved the way for the team to get off the schneid in league play.

In the second quarter, the Tigers forced six turnovers while giving up 11 points. And on the other end led by stars Flau’jae Johnson and MiLaysia LSU (15-2, 1-2 SEC) was able to build its largest lead in SEC play at 14 points. The team was able to hold on due to its defensive performance.

MORE LSU WOMEN’S HOOPS COVERAGE Why Kim Mulkey questions LSU’s toughness after 0-2 start to SEC play

Georgia (15-2, 1-2) struggled from behind the arc, missing 13 of its first 14 3-point attempts and finished the game 4 of 29 and overall shot 31% for the game.

The shifts Mulkey implemented like playing freshman ZaKiyah Johnson on the perimeter some gave her team some different looks on the offensive end and paid off. Johnson was able to distribute the ball.

Mulkey started her sixth different starting lineup of the season that featured Flau’jae Johnson and star Mikaylah Williams along with guard Jada Richard and forwards Grace Knox and Kate Koval. From the tip, LSU enjoyed a lead and the starting group set the tone.

Johnson and Fulwiley led the Tigers with 25 and 18 points, respectively. Playing in the varied role, ZaKiyah Johnson ended with 12 points with three rebounds and an assist.

Senior forward Amiya Joyner put up a double-double, her first in conference play and fifth at LSU, with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

LSU women’s basketball vs Georgia game score, live updates

Flau’jae Johnson going off as LSU women’s basketball extends lead over Georgia

Johnson has 6 points in less than two minutes in the fourth quarter. She’s finished at the rim and through contact.

LSU now has its biggest lead of the game.

8:09 4Q | No. 12 LSU 64 Georgia 49

LSU women’s basketball outscored by Georgia in 3rd quarter but still leads

Georgia outscored LSU 20 to 18 in the third quarter but the Tigers are still up.

Turnovers reared their head for LSU late in that third period. LSU has got to find ways to take care of the basketball late in these SEC games.

END 3 | No. 12 LSU 56 Georgia 48

LSU women’s basketball withstands Georgia run

Bulldogs went on a feverish run to close the deficit to within 5 points but just like LSU has done all night long, it has answered back to push its lead back up to 8.

The defense continues to lead the way, holding Georgia to 34% shooting.

3:20 3Q | No. 12 LSU 49 Georgia 41

LSU women’s basketball leads Georgia at halftime

LSU’s two stars Fulwiley and Flau’jae Johnson have powered the team to a big halftime lead, combining for 19 points.

But how LSU has performed on the defensive end has been the main catalyst for its improvements tonight. In that second quarter, LSU forced six turnovers while giving up 13 points.

HALF | No. 12 LSU 38 Georgia 28

LSU women’s basketball stretching lead over Georgia

Tigers stretched their lead over the Bulldogs thanks to its defense. At one point in the second quarter, LSU has forced as many turnovers as it allowed Georgia to score points.

2:38 2Q | No. 12 LSU 32 Georgia 24

MiLaysia Fulwiley powering LSU women’s basketball

LSU’s star is up to 8 points. She’s been able to get out and run against Georgia tonight, something the Tigers have struggled to be able to do in its first two SEC games.

8:20 2Q | No. 12 LSU 21 Georgia 18

LSU women’s basketball leads Georgia after 1 quarter

LSU star MiLaysia Fulwiley is off to a fast start, scoring 6 points in the first.

The Tigers’ defense is shining as they’ve forced Georgia into some erratic shots and not giving up many open looks. But the Bulldogs did close the deficit some to finish off the first.

No. 12 LSU 19 Georgia 15

LSU’s ZaKiyah Johnson playing on perimeter

For the first time this season, freshman ZaKiayh Johsnon is playing some 3 for Kim Mulkey. And the shift in position is paying off albeit early for the Tigers.

She’s been able to drive and dish. She’s already got an assist in a couple of minutes.

LSU leads 17-9, 1Q

Tough shooting early for LSU women’s basketball at Georgia

LSU has been getting some decent looks at the basket but it can’t seem to get the ball to fall. The Tigers are on a 6-0 run the last 1:05 and takes an 11-7 lead into the first TV timeout.

Mikaylah Williams has a made 3-pointer.

LSU women’s basketball 2025-26 schedule

Nov. 4: Houston Christian (W 108-55)

Nov. 6: Southeastern Louisiana (W 115-26)

Nov. 9: at Georgia Southern (W 118-70)

Nov. 12: Charlotte (W 117-59)

Nov. 17: at Tulane (W 101-71)

Nov. 20: Alcorn State (W 112-49)

Nov. 28, Paradise Jam: Marist (W 113-53)

Nov. 29, Paradise Jam: Washington State (112-35)

Dec. 4, ACC/SEC Challenge: at Duke (W 93-77)

Dec. 7: at New Orleans (W 126-62)

Dec. 13, Compete 4 Cause in New Orleans: Louisiana Tech (W 87-61)

Dec. 16: Morgan State (W 91-33)

Dec. 21: Texas-Arlington (W 110-45)

Dec. 28: Alabama State (W 109-41)

Jan. 1: Kentucky* (L 80-78)

Jan. 4: at Vanderbilt* (L 65-61)

Jan. 8: at Georgia* (5:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)

Jan. 11: Texas* (2 p.m. CT, ESPN)

Jan. 18: at Oklahoma* (2 p.m., ESPN/2)

Jan. 22: at Texas A&M* (8 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

Jan. 26: Florida* (7 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

Jan. 29: Arkansas* (7 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)

Feb. 1: Alabama* (11 a.m. CT, SEC Network)

Feb. 5: at Texas* (8 p.m. CT, ESPN)

Feb. 8: at Auburn* (1 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

Feb. 14: South Carolina* (7:30 p.m. CT, ABC)

Feb. 19: at Ole Miss* (8 p.m. CT, ESPN)

Feb. 22: Missouri* (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

Feb. 26: Tennessee* (5 p.m. CT, ESPN)

March 1: at Mississippi State* (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network)

March 4-8: SEC Tournament (Greenville, S.C.)

March 18-April 5: NCAA Tournament

*denotes SEC game

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: Flau’jae Johnson leads LSU to much-needed win at Georgia

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