BATON ROUGE – The game in large spurts was muddy.
LSU women’s basketball, between deep shot-clock offensive possessions and charges called on it, couldn’t find a consistent rhythm against Charleston Southern for its annual school field trip game inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center Tuesday morning.
It also didn’t help matters that Kim Mulkey’s top offensive threat, Flau’jae Johnson, came out slow on offense in the first half, not eclipsing double digits points until the 2:09 third-quarter mark, as well as senior point guard Shayeann Day-Wilson sat the contest out.
No. 7 LSU battled through the choppiness of the game to beat the Buccaneers, 117-44, in one of the program’s most lop-sided victories.
Johnson finished with a double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds.
NICK SABAN VISITS LSU WBB TEAM Kim Mulkey ‘in heaven’ meeting Saban spoke to LSU women’s basketball before NSU game
LSU WBB RECRUITING Kim Mulkey, LSU women’s basketball continue recruiting hot streak, land another top-15 recruit
Freshman guard Jada Richard gets first career start for Kim Mulkey as Shayeann Day-Wilson doesn’t play
Mulkey gave freshman Jada Richard the nod at point guard Tuesday morning in place of senior Shayeann Day-Wilson, who did not play.
Her first career first was a little shaky in the beginning. Her first pass attempt was too high and a turnover. Right before the end of the first quarter, Richard lost track of time and got caught on a shot-clock violation.
In the first two games, Richard had played 21 total minutes. Against Charleston Southern, she ended up playing minutes and finished the game with 11 points, six assists and one rebound.
Kailyn Gilbert making impact for LSU women’s basketball coming off bench
Junior Kailyn Gilbert seems to have found her role for this LSU team in the early going as that sixth man-type role.
She’s come off the bench in her first three games with the Tigers, but the team has been impacted by her when she steps on the court. Her offensive game has led to a easy buckets for post players as she passing game is good.
Gilbert fills the stat sheet, proven by her ranking fifth on the team in points scored and second in assists so far. Her did more of the same against Charleston Southern. In her first 10 minutes, Gilbert had 4 points, four assists and three rebounds. She ended just shy of a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Aneesah Morrow dominates Charleston Southern
While Johnson struggled in the first half, LSU senior forward Aneesah Morrow powered the Tigers. Playing a little bit of everywhere on the floor outside of the point position, Morrow had her most effective game of the season on both ends.
The 6-foot forward dominated the Buccaneers interior game to the tune of 21 points and 20 boards and also had a block.
LSU has got playmakers all over the court and Morrow’s performance serves as a reminder that teams might can shutdown one option but it’ll be tough to stop multiple.
LSU ROUTS NORTHWESTERN STATE LSU women’s basketball runs Northwestern State out of gym in rout
LSU ROLLS EKU TO OPEN SEASON LSU women’s basketball rolls EKU as key players return for Kim Mulkey in season opener
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: LSU women’s basketball dominates Charleston Southern
