The basketball court at Pete Maravich Assembly Center erupted in thunderous applause as Flau’Jae Johnson made her long-awaited return, transforming the Louisiana State University women’s basketball team into an unstoppable force. After sitting out during the Southeastern Conference tournament due to a right shin injury, Johnson’s comeback couldn’t have been more perfectly timed for the NCAA Tournament.
The triumphant comeback
Wearing a compression sleeve as a reminder of her recent recovery, Johnson wasted no time making her presence felt. The sophomore guard tallied a team-leading 22 points in LSU‘s opening round matchup against San Diego State University, propelling the Tigers to a staggering 103-48 victory.
Johnson committed to being the spark her team needed when she stepped back onto the court. The dynamic player’s return injected renewed energy into a squad already brimming with talent, creating an electric atmosphere that resonated throughout the arena.
Breaking records with precision
The 55-point margin wasn’t just impressive – it was historic. LSU’s 103-point offensive explosion established a new team record for scoring in an NCAA Tournament game, surpassing their previous high of 102 points set during their championship run in 2023.
The Tigers displayed remarkable shooting efficiency, converting an outstanding 55.6% of their attempts from beyond the three-point arc. This pinpoint accuracy, combined with Johnson’s leadership on the floor, created an offensive juggernaut that San Diego State simply couldn’t contain.
Dominating the glass
LSU’s dominance extended beyond scoring, as they controlled the rebounding battle with equal authority. The Tigers outmuscled San Diego State on the boards by a commanding 53-31 margin, limiting second-chance opportunities for their opponents while creating additional possessions for themselves.
Aneesah Morrow emerged as a force in the paint, securing her 27th double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. This remarkable achievement brought Morrow’s career double-double total to 102, further cementing her reputation as one of college basketball’s elite post players.
Team chemistry reaching new heights
What made LSU’s performance particularly impressive was the seamless chemistry displayed throughout the contest. Johnson and Morrow’s complementary playing styles created defensive nightmares for San Diego State, but the Tigers’ success extended far beyond their star players.
The team’s ball movement remained crisp and deliberate, consistently finding the open shooter and making the extra pass. This unselfish approach resulted in balanced scoring opportunities and helped maintain offensive rhythm throughout all four quarters.
The floor spacing and decision-making emphasized in practice translated perfectly into game situations. Everyone understood their role and executed accordingly, creating a balanced attack that San Diego State couldn’t counter.
Overcoming adversity
Johnson‘s absence during the SEC tournament had created questions about LSU’s tournament readiness. Some analysts wondered if the Tigers would struggle to regain their momentum without their energetic leader on the floor.
Those concerns evaporated within minutes of the opening tip against San Diego State. Despite the compression sleeve serving as a visible reminder of her recent injury, Johnson moved fluidly across the court, showing no hesitation driving to the basket or elevating for jump shots.
Her determined performance demonstrated remarkable resilience and spoke volumes about both her physical conditioning and mental toughness. The injury setback, rather than diminishing her effectiveness, seemed to have intensified Johnson’s competitive fire.
Championship aspirations
With their opening-round statement victory, LSU improved their overall record to an impressive 29-5 (12-4 in conference play). The convincing performance immediately reestablished the Tigers as serious contenders for the national championship.
LSU now advances to face Florida State in the tournament’s second round on March 24 at 5 p.m. CT, with national coverage provided by ESPN. The matchup presents the next challenge in their quest to secure a second NCAA championship in a three-year span.
For Johnson and her teammates, the journey continues with growing confidence. The record-setting victory against San Diego State demonstrated that when operating at full strength, few teams can match LSU’s combination of offensive firepower, rebounding prowess, and defensive intensity.
As tournament play advances, basketball fans nationwide will be watching to see if Johnson can continue her inspirational return and lead this talented LSU squad to championship glory. Based on their opening performance, the Tigers appear poised to make a deep tournament run behind their newly returned star.
