LSU women's basketball delivered a historic performance on Thursday night, defeating Texas Southern by 109 points in a game that reshaped the statistical records of the sport. The ninth-ranked Tigers won 131-22, securing the largest victory in women's Division I history against a Division I opponent. This result surpassed the previous record of 140-32, which Baylor set against Winthrop in 2016.
Head coach Kim Mulkey, who led the Bears during the 2016 blowout, oversaw a dominant offensive display from her current team. The Tigers recorded a 50-0 run across the second and third quarters, effectively ending the contest before the final minutes arrived. Seven players contributed in double figures, led by freshman Anna Minaeca with 21 points and Iowa State transfer Jada Williams, who added 18.
The second quarter proved particularly devastating for Texas Southern. The visitors failed to score on any of their 13 field goal attempts and missed all seven of their three-point shots. They also committed nine turnovers during that frame. Consequently, LSU went on a 40-0 run in the second quarter alone, marking the second-largest single-quarter run in women's college basketball since the NCAA adopted the four-quarter format in the 2015-16 season.
Despite the lopsided nature of the game, the offensive efficiency for LSU was remarkable. The Tigers shot 60% from the floor, including nine makes from beyond the arc on 20 attempts. In contrast, Texas Southern struggled significantly, finishing the game with a 15% field goal percentage. The score stood at 65-13 at halftime and 95-16 after the third quarter, leaving little room for doubt regarding the final outcome.
The event served as a homecoming celebration for former LSU standout and WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese. The team dedicated the night to the 2022 national champion, who took center court during halftime inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center before returning to her courtside seat for the remainder of the game. Reese expressed how nostalgic the experience felt, noting that she grew her brand and her basketball career in Baton Rouge.
"It's nostalgic. I got the Bayou Barbie name here and was able to grow my brand here, but also as a basketball player. This is home," Reese said. She added that she appreciated seeing the crowd's enthusiasm and the continued growth of women's basketball.
Williams expressed her joy in being part of such a cohesive unit. She described the team as unselfish and noted that they work hard to share the ball while running the floor. "This is the best team I've ever played on," Williams stated. "So, I'm just out there having the time of my life."
Mulkey credited the program's legacy for helping to recruit top talent, pointing to Reese as a key inspiration for current players. She emphasized that the locker room is proud and that every player has someone to look up to. "They can be Angel one day," Mulkey said. "All of them watched her play when she was here, and hopefully because she played here, it helped us recruit those players."
The victory cements LSU's status as one of the most potent offensive forces in the nation this season. The team's ability to maintain high efficiency while limiting its opponent to just 22 points highlights their defensive versatility. This record-setting win provides a strong foundation as the Tigers continue their campaign in the 2026-27 season.
