BATON ROUGE, La. – The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against the 12th-ranked Vanderbilt on Sunday, losing 65-61 at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Tigers will look to bounce back on Thursday, January 8, when they play Georgia at 5:30 p.m. CT in Athens, Georgia.
With this loss, LSU’s record falls to 14-2, while Vanderbilt remains undefeated at 15-0 this season.
LSU started slowly but improved their defense, taking a 28-22 lead at halftime. They shot 42.9 percent, making 12 of 28 shots, including two three-pointers. In contrast, Vanderbilt struggled early on, making only 7 of 27 shots (25.9%), with two three-points of their own. LSU out-rebounded Vanderbilt 24 to 12 in the first half.
The second half was intense, with both teams exchanging leads in the closing moments. Vanderbilt clinched the win thanks to Mikayla Blakes, who scored back-to-back layups and added a free throw. Both teams had similar shooting percentages, making 43.3% of their shots, but Vanderbilt’s eight three-pointers outmatched LSU’s one.
For LSU, Jada Richard and MiLaysia Fulwiley each led their team with 13 points. Richard shot 5-of-10 and Fulwiley made 6-of-13 attempts. Mikaylah Williams contributed 12 points, while ZaKiyah Johnson added 10.
Mikayla Blakes was the standout for Vanderbilt, scoring 32 points, including 11 in the first quarter and 15 in the fourth. She shot 10-of-25 from the field, 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, and sunk three three-pointers.
This matchup highlights the current trend in women’s basketball where strong defense is key, but outside shooting can also make a huge difference. In the last few seasons, statistics show that teams hitting more three-pointers often hold a strategic advantage. As teams continue to adapt their play styles, fans and analysts alike are excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
Stay tuned for a more detailed recap of this thrilling game.
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