Flau Jae Johnson Returns in Style, Sparks LSU’s NCAA Tournament Blowout
BATON ROUGE, LA — LSU’s Flau Jae Johnson didn’t just return to the court Saturday night—she exploded onto it, leading her Tigers to a dominant 103-48 win over San Diego State in the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
After missing the SEC Tournament due to a shin injury, Johnson came back with a vengeance. With a compression sleeve hugging her lower leg, she flew down the court, hit her shots, and brought the swagger that has made her one of the most recognizable names in women’s college basketball. Her energy was electric from the jump.
“I told myself when I came back that I wanted to be the energy for the team,” Johnson said after the game. “That’s what I bring. That’s what we needed.”
Morrow’s Return and Johnson’s Spark Set the Tone Early
LSU wasted no time getting started. Johnson snagged a steal and finished with a flashy layup to cap off an 11-0 run to start the game, blowing a kiss to the student section after the bucket. It was clear: LSU wasn’t just here to play, they were here to send a message.
Aneesah Morrow, also returning from a foot injury, looked strong too. She notched her 28th double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. She was all over the court—grabbing boards, making smart passes, and sinking mid-range jumpers. Her chemistry with Johnson was on full display.
“It felt good to be back,” Morrow said. “We’ve worked hard to get healthy again. This team has big goals.”
Source: Flau’Jae Johnson returns, leads LSU Tigers to convincing win
A Team Effort from Start to Finish
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey called it “unselfish.” And that’s exactly what it was. From start to finish, the Tigers shared the ball, reversed it around the perimeter, and found open teammates. Freshman Mikaylah Williams added 13 points, Sa’Myah Smith got in on the scoring early, and everyone who played contributed.
“You can feel when a team is connected,” Mulkey said in her postgame press conference. “They were happy for each other. When everyone gets minutes, touches, points—it just lifts the whole locker room.”
By halftime, LSU had shot a scorching 59% from the field and hit 6 of their first 10 three-point attempts. Defensively, they were just as sharp—forcing turnovers, blocking shots, and swarming San Diego State on every possession.
San Diego State’s First Tourney Since 2012 Ends Abruptly
To be fair, San Diego State came into the game with momentum. They’d won eight straight and were riding high off their Mountain West Conference championship. But LSU’s physicality and tempo were just too much.
The Aztecs struggled to find their rhythm all night. No player on their roster reached double figures in scoring. Adryana Quezada led the team with eight points. They couldn’t get anything going in the paint or from outside, and LSU’s defense rarely gave them space to breathe.
Still, for SDSU, this marked their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years. That’s no small feat. Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said afterward, “This is a stepping stone. We’re going to learn from this and come back stronger.”
What’s Next for LSU: A Showdown with Florida State
With the win, LSU now advances to the second round, where they’ll face the 6th-seeded Florida State Seminoles Monday night. It’ll be another home game for LSU at the Maravich Center, and if Saturday night’s energy was any indication, it’ll be loud.
Coach Mulkey improved her all-time record in NCAA Tournament openers to 22-1—a staggering stat that speaks to her experience and preparation. But she knows things only get tougher from here.
“This was a great first step,” she said. “But we’ve got a long way to go if we want to be the last team standing.”
Johnson and Morrow’s return could be the fuel that carries LSU deep into March. If they keep playing like this—locked in, unselfish, and fierce—anything is possible.
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