No. 9 LSU delivered the largest victory margin in program history as ZaKiyah Johnson scored a career-high 33 points and MiLaysia Fulwiley added 20 in the Tigers’ opening game.
No. 9 LSU opened the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season with a record-setting 129-35 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Monday, November 2, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. Sophomore ZaKiyah Johnson scored a career-high 33 points as the Tigers delivered the largest margin of victory in program history.
The 94-point win gave coach Kim Mulkey a commanding start to her sixth season at LSU. The Tigers scored the game’s first 18 points, built a 60-point halftime advantage and never allowed Southeastern Louisiana to establish an offensive rhythm.
Johnson led an LSU offense that produced six double-figure scorers. Senior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley added 20 points, while Mikaylah Williams contributed 19 as the Tigers combined efficient shooting with relentless defensive pressure.
ZaKiyah Johnson Delivers Career-Best Performance
Johnson was the standout performer in LSU’s season opener, finishing with 33 points and 13 rebounds. She made 14 of her 19 field-goal attempts, shooting 73.7%, and recorded her fourth career double-double.
Nine of Johnson’s rebounds came on the offensive glass, giving LSU additional scoring opportunities throughout the contest. She also contributed five steals and three assists, demonstrating the versatility that has made her an important part of Mulkey’s lineup.
The sophomore scored 18 of her points after halftime despite the Tigers holding an overwhelming lead. Her ability to score near the basket and recover missed shots created persistent problems for Southeastern Louisiana’s defense.
Johnson entered the season with growing expectations after an impressive freshman campaign. She earned SEC All-Freshman honors in 2025-26 after averaging 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while appearing in 34 games.
Although recruited primarily as a perimeter player, Johnson spent substantial time in the post during her first season. Her combination of mobility, strength and rebounding ability allows LSU to use her in several different lineup combinations.
The Tigers will need that flexibility against stronger opponents later in the season. Johnson’s opening performance showed how effectively she can contribute around the basket while remaining involved in LSU’s defensive pressure.
MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams Strengthen LSU’s Backcourt
Fulwiley began her second season with LSU by scoring 20 points and making five three-pointers. She also contributed six assists and six steals, providing production on both ends of the court.
The senior guard transferred from South Carolina before the 2025-26 season and became one of LSU’s most important offensive players. She earned SEC Sixth Woman of the Year honors during her first year in Baton Rouge.
Fulwiley’s performance against Southeastern Louisiana demonstrated her ability to create scoring opportunities without depending entirely on drives to the basket. Her outside shooting helped LSU stretch the defense and create room for teammates inside.
Williams added another strong perimeter performance, scoring 19 points while converting five of seven three-point attempts. Her shooting gave the Tigers another dependable option from beyond the arc.
Together, Fulwiley and Williams made all 10 of LSU’s three-pointers. Their combined production helped the Tigers shoot 50% from long range in their first regular-season game.
The backcourt also benefited from additional depth. Iowa State transfer Jada Williams joined the program during the offseason, while Laila Reynolds arrived from Florida and Chloe Larry transferred from Tennessee Tech.
Those additions give Mulkey several options for handling the ball, applying defensive pressure and creating shots. Their roles will become clearer as the Tigers move into the more demanding portions of their schedule.
Tigers Establish Control With Dominant First Half
LSU wasted little time taking command of the game. The Tigers opened with an 18-0 run before Southeastern Louisiana finally scored on a free throw midway through the first quarter.
Johnson played a major role in the opening surge, scoring seven points during the first five minutes. She also converted second-chance opportunities as LSU repeatedly collected offensive rebounds.
The Tigers led 37-4 after the first quarter, establishing a 33-point advantage before the Lions could settle into their offense. Southeastern Louisiana struggled to handle LSU’s defensive pressure and committed turnovers that led to additional scoring opportunities.
LSU maintained the same intensity throughout the second quarter. An 18-0 run over the final six minutes helped extend the halftime advantage to 69-9.
The Tigers scored at least 29 points in every quarter, demonstrating that their offensive production continued throughout the game. They added 31 points in the third period and 29 in the fourth to finish with 129.
Southeastern Louisiana improved offensively after halftime, scoring 16 points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth. However, the early deficit was too large for the Lions to threaten LSU’s lead.
Defensive Pressure Creates Repeated Scoring Opportunities
LSU’s defense was central to the record-setting result. The Tigers forced 38 Southeastern Louisiana turnovers and prevented the visitors from developing consistent offensive possessions.
The Lions shot just 27.8% from the field, making 10 of their 36 attempts. They also struggled to find open shots against LSU’s aggressive perimeter defenders.
The Tigers frequently turned defensive stops into fast-break opportunities, allowing them to score before Southeastern Louisiana could organize its half-court defense.
LSU’s rebounding advantage created another major difference. The Tigers repeatedly secured missed shots and converted those additional possessions into points.
Southeastern Louisiana sophomore Natalie Huff led the Lions with 12 points and three rebounds. She made two three-pointers, a career high, but received limited offensive support against LSU’s defense.
The Lions entered the season facing a difficult road assignment against a nationally ranked opponent. Their opening loss also demonstrated the challenge of competing against LSU’s combination of athleticism, depth and experienced guards.
LSU Sets Program Record With 94-Point Victory
The 129-35 result established a new LSU record for the largest victory margin in women’s basketball program history. The 94-point difference surpassed the previous record of 89 points.
That earlier mark included LSU’s 115-26 victory over Southeastern Louisiana during the 2025-26 season. The Tigers have now defeated the Lions by a combined 183 points across their two most recent meetings.
The Associated Press reported that LSU also defeated McNeese State by 89 points in 2023, a result that shared the previous program record.
Monday’s performance demonstrated the scoring potential of Mulkey’s latest roster. The Tigers combined strong interior production with efficient perimeter shooting and forced turnovers throughout the contest.
However, one game against an overmatched opponent does not establish how LSU will perform against nationally ranked competition. The Tigers will face more demanding defensive systems and stronger offensive opponents as the season progresses.
The opening result nevertheless provides a useful starting point for evaluating LSU’s returning players and new additions. Several members of the roster contributed offensively, allowing the Tigers to maintain their advantage while rotating players throughout the game.
Mulkey Begins Sixth Season With National Expectations
Mulkey enters her sixth season at LSU after building the program into a consistent national contender. Her teams have reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in four consecutive seasons, including their championship run in 2023.
The Tigers begin the 2026-27 campaign ranked ninth nationally. Their roster combines experienced players with promising sophomores and several transfers expected to strengthen the rotation.
Williams returns as an established SEC performer, while Fulwiley brings experience from multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs. Johnson gives LSU an emerging frontcourt contributor capable of influencing games through scoring and rebounding.
Freshman Lola Lampley and other newcomers also provide opportunities for the coaching staff to develop additional lineup combinations before conference play begins.
Mulkey’s primary challenge will be turning that talent into consistent performance against stronger competition. Defensive communication, ball movement and shot selection will become increasingly important as the schedule becomes more difficult.
LSU Continues Homestand Before Fort Myers Tournament
LSU returns to action Thursday, November 5, when it hosts Texas Southern at 7 p.m. Central Time inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The game is scheduled to stream on SEC Network+.
The Tigers will remain at home for five additional games after Texas Southern, facing McNeese State, Denver, Troy, Fairleigh Dickinson and Belmont.
Their first major trip comes during the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida. LSU will face Villanova on November 27 and NC State on November 28 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
The Tigers will then visit North Carolina on December 2 as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge. Those matchups should provide a clearer picture of LSU’s development against opponents with greater size, depth and national expectations.
Southeastern Louisiana will return home to face Arkansas-Monticello on November 5. The Lions will look to recover from their opening loss before beginning the remainder of their nonconference schedule.
For LSU, the season begins with a school-record victory and a career-best performance from Johnson. The Tigers now have six more home games to develop their rotation before their first major tests away from Baton Rouge.
IMAGE: LangstonU vs. LSU women’s basketball game on October 30, 2025. Photo: Gold Broth / Wikimedia, taken 2025-10-30, CC BY 4.0