NCAA women’s basketball: LSU rises in rankings after Texas victory

LSU Women’s Basketball shocked college basketball Sunday with a stunning 70-65 upset over previously undefeated No. 2 Texas. The No. 12 Tigers have now climbed to No. 6 in the latest coaches poll, jumping six spots after their historic statement victory in Baton Rouge.

Mikaylah Williams Delivers Clutch Performance Versus Texas Elite Defense

Junior Mikaylah Williams anchored LSU’s upset with 20 points, seven rebounds, and career-high five steals. The 6-foot guard from Bossier City, Louisiana sealed the game with a go-ahead three-pointer with just 1:20 remaining. Williams shot 7-of-13 from the field and went 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Coach Kim Mulkey praised both Williams’ clutch gene and her suffocating defense on Madison Booker, keeping the Texas star to just four points.

The sold-out Pete Maravich Assembly Center erupted as 13,200 fans witnessed the ninth-largest crowd in program history. Jada Richard’s free throws ice the contest, while four other Tigers contributed double-digit scoring to balance the victory.

How LSU Dominated the Boards and Forced Critical Turnovers Against Unbeaten Longhorns

LSU’s defense forced Texas into 17 turnovers, the most all season for the Longhorns. The Tigers outrebounded Texas 44-35, grabbing 13 second-chance points that proved crucial. LSU held Texas to 43.9% shooting and just 33.3% from three-point range, showcasing smothering team defense led by Mulkey and associate coach Bob Starkey.

Richard’s defensive effort on Booker earned Mulkey’s highest praise, demonstrating how collective effort neutralized Texas’ standout talent. The second quarter proved pivotal, with LSU shooting 8-of-9 to take a 30-25 halftime lead.

LSU Women’s Basketball Rising Force in NCAA Tournament Conversation

With the victory, LSU improved to 16-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play after a rough start to conference competition. The Tigers’ record now positions them firmly in NCAA tournament conversation, with quality wins expected to boost their tournament seeding. Coach Mulkey’s squad has proven capable of beating anyone with locked-in defense and balanced scoring.

“If you’re a true basketball junkie, that was an enjoyable game to watch because both teams had just hard-nosed defense. Everything came hard in what you tried to do, and it was just good hard-nosed basketball.”

— Kim Mulkey, LSU Head Coach

What’s Next for LSU’s Championship Aspirations After Stunning Texas Upset

The Tigers face a brief bye week before heading to Norman to challenge No. 5 Oklahoma next Sunday, January 18. The matchup begins at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN or ESPN2. LSU’s momentum from this Texas victory should carry forward into a tough SEC schedule with tournament implications.

Coach Mulkey emphasized the importance of ball security and defensive intensity going forward. This signature win snaps LSU’s 17-game losing streak against Top 2 teams, marking the program’s most impressive victory since the 2023 National Championship run.

Can LSU Maintain Momentum and Challenge for NCAA Elite Eight Status?

The biggest question now surrounds LSU’s consistency against elite SEC opposition. The Tigers demonstrated they possess championship-level defense and clutch execution needed to win a National Championship game. Williams’ performance proved junior guards can dominate against premier talent. With No. 6 Oklahoma next and the SEC tournament looming, can LSU sustain this elite defense against every opponent?

Five Tigers scoring in double figures suggests a balanced attack that could trouble any NCAA tournament opponent. The 2026 NCAA tournament landscape suddenly looks very different with LSU positioned as a legit threat inside the Final Four conversation.

Sources

• LSU Sports – Official game recap and statistics from Pete Maravich Assembly Center victory
• USA Today Coaches Poll – LSU ranking movement and weekly rankings updates
• ESPN Women’s College Basketball – Box score, highlights, and player performance analysis

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.

Red94 News and trends that get people talking. Every day, in 1 minute

Join now