Kim Mulkey reveals what her LSU team is “struggling to do” ahead of the new season

LSU Tigers’ exhibition season ended as they defeated LSU-Alexandria 117-37 in their final preseason matchup. Ranked No. 7, the Tigers brought Flau'jae Johnson, who took charge and posted 29 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Coach Kim Mulkey highlighted some limitations during the postgame interview.

"I think we have enough depth and athleticism to clean up what we're just kind of struggling to do right now," she said, reflecting on the team's performance.

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“Well, I only had eight players available, so you got five post players and three guards, and so I thought Morrow and Jersey were very unselfish to play against,” Mulkey said.

“It's hard to really gauge things in these two games, and so let's just be real fair and honest," she added.

Earlier in the interview, Mulkey acknowledged areas where LSU can sharpen up.

“Our defense, particularly man-to-man, we got to get better on the perimeter and stop the penetration, and we will. We will," Mulkey stated. “But we’ve got to get everybody from all these little nicks they have and get them back on the floor.”

Let's see how LSU played in the last game under Kim Mulkey

Aneesah Morrow followed closely with a double, contributing 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Sa'Myah Smith gave the team an early boost with back-to-back baskets. She set up a quick 4-0 lead.

Shortly after, Kailyn Gilbert spotted Johnson on the wing, and she drained a three-pointer to further LSU's advantage and push them to 11-5. Gilbert then hit a 3-pointer of her own and added a layup, forcing an LSUA timeout.

LSU didn’t ease up after the break; Smith continued with two layups, extending the Tigers’ lead to 25-5. Johnson took a fast break to the rim for an and-1 layup.

As the game entered the second quarter, Johnson’s and-1 jumper added to her scoring tally, while Aalyah Del Rosario’s defensive block led to another easy two points. Bartlett capitalized on Morrow’s assist, finding her second layup of the game. Jada Richard knocked down mid-range shots in quick succession.

Morrow hit a 3-pointer that widened LSU’s lead to 41, wrapping up the first half with a commanding 67-18 score. The Tigers shoot 68 percent from the field and 56 percent from 3-point range.

Johnson made a chase-down block and followed it up by stealing the ball on the next possession for a layup. Johnson then delivered on a pull-up 3-pointer, passing the 20-point mark for the game and igniting the crowd. By the end of the third quarter, Johnson had scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, further solidifying her role as a key contributor.

The Tigers will have an open against Eastern Kentucky on Monday at 7 pm in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC).

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