LSU women’s basketball ended the 2025-26 regular season on a high note. The No. 6 Tigers defeated Mississippi State 72-63 in Starkville on Sunday. The victory extends a four-game winning streak as the purple and gold solidify a 26-4 overall record.
Mikaylah Williams finished with a season-high 26 points and 15 rebounds, her third-straight double-double. MiLaysia Fulwiley and Jada Richard added 16 and 12 points, respectively. LSU scored 40 of its points in the paint but was nearly outrebounded.
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The Bulldogs started fast, holding a leaf for the entire first quarter. They opened on a 12-3 run over the first seven minutes of play. LSU pulled ahead in the second, starting the frame on an 11-0 run. It held a 13-point lead heading into halftime.
Mississippi State climbed back in the game, going on a 13-0 run in the third quarter thanks to seven-straight made foul shots. It regained the lead briefly with under five minutes left in the frame but LSU recovered and went into the fourth quarter up by seven.
Back and forth play ensued for much of the final 10 minutes but the Tigers never trailed. They shot 61.5% from the field and out rebounded Mississippi State 12-5 in the final frame to preserve the win.
Here are three takeaways from LSU’s win over Mississippi State.
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Williams continues to be the motor
On both ends of the floor, Williams sets the tone for the Tigers and she did on Sunday. The junior shot 10 of 17 from the field, pulled down 12 defensive rebounds and dished out four assists. Head coach Kim Mulkey kept her on the floor the entire game.
The outburst comes just three game after Williams was benched for the second half against Ole Miss. She shined against the Bulldogs and is peaking at the right time as LSU heads into postseason play.
Richard, Fulwiley play well together
Aside from Williams, Richard and Fulwiley had the most minutes of anyone for LSU on Sunday. They each finished in double figures and combined for six assists and six steals. Richard also chased down four defensive rebounds.
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Both guards have played stellar defense recently and are hitting their stride playing on offense, both transition and half court. Despite holding similar ball handling responsibilities, Richard and Fulwiley each carved out their own roles.
Slow starts plague LSU
For the second-straight game, LSU was trailing after the first quarter. The Tigers also held slim single-digit leads for the two games prior to Thursday against Tennessee. Following those contests, Mulkey discussed wanting ore physicality and energy from her team at points in the contest.
With the postseason looming, LSU cannot afford falling behind early in games. The Tigers could face a hungry lower-seeded team in the SEC Tournament field as they bid for their first championship at the event in over 20 years.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Takeaways: LSU women’s basketball beats Mississippi State
