LSU Stages Epic Comeback to Defeat Kentucky, Clinch Top-Four SEC Seed

On Sunday, Kim Mulkey's LSU Lady Tigers trailed by as many as 16 points against the 14th ranked Kentucky Wildcats before they were able to flip the switch leaving Lexington with one of their biggest wins of the season. While the win itself was massive for the Lady Tigers, the win also presented several individual milestones and one massive milestone for the team.

A Night of Milestones

Beyond the big win, Sunday’s game marked several milestones for LSU:

• Head Coach Kim Mulkey secured her 750th career victory, and .862 career winning percentage.
• LSU (27-2) matched the program’s regular-season record for wins, tying the marks set in 2004-05, and 2022-23.
• Aneesah Morrow recorded her 99th career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

For nearly two quarters, it looked like LSU was headed for another road loss against a top-15 opponent. Down by 16 in the first half, the Tigers struggled to find their rhythm, while Kentucky dictated the pace with a second-quarter surge. But if this season has proven anything, it's that LSU thrives under pressure.

In a stunning second-half turnaround, the Tigers clawed their way back, fueled by a stifling defense and a clutch performance from Mikaylah Williams. By the final buzzer, the LSU Tigers had completed one of its most improbable comebacks of the season, securing a 65-58 victory and winning the top-four seed in the tournament.

From Flat to Ferocious: LSU's Women's Basketball Story

Tailing by a narrow margin after the first quarter, LSU unraveled in the second, managing just four points in the first six minutes while Kentucky seized control with a 12-0 run. The Wildcats, riding the hot hand of Georgia Amoore, stretched their lead to 16 before LSU steadied the ship, trimming the halftime deficit to 12.

But what seemed to be another road stumble against a top-15 opponent quickly turned into a showcase of LSU's championship pedigree.

Mikaylah Williams to the Rescue

From the moment the second half began, it was evident that Mikaylah Williams was not going to let the Tigers go quietly. With 24 points on 10-for-21 shooting, William's was LSU's offensive engine, keeping the team within striking distance before delivering the game's most decisive moment.

With under a minute to play and LSU nursing a one-point lead, Williams received a pass from Flau'Jae Johnson at the top of the key. Without hesitation, she drilled a three-pointer that silenced the Rupp Arena crowd, effectively sealing the Tigers' most epic comeback of the season.

A Third Quarter for the Ages

If LSU's first half was unforgettable, their third quarter was a masterclass in execution. Outscoring Kentucky 23-6 in the period, the Tigers turned the tables. The trio of Williams, Johnson, and Aneesah Murrow combined for 21 points, while LSU's defense stifled the Wildcats, limiting them to juts two field goals in 13 attempts.

That defensive intensity carried over into the final frame, as LSU forced nine Kentucky turnovers in the second half, capitalizing with nine points off those miscues.

Kim Mulkey's Defensive Emphasis Pays Off

Kim Mulkey's teams have long been known for their defensive strength, but the first half saw uncharacteristic lapses. Kentucky took complete control in the second quarter, shooting 47.6% from the field and airing LSU's lack of defensive cohesion.

Halftime adjustments, however, turned the tide. Amoore, who had been Kentucky's knight in shining armor in the first half, was held to just four points on 2-for-9 shooting in the final 20 minutes. As a unit, Kentucky mustered just 28.6% shooting in the second half, showing LSU's big effort.

Riding the momentum of this hard-fought victory, LSU heads into its next matchup with renewed confidence, though for Kim Mulkey, the challenge now is ensuring her team sustains this level of intensity when it matters most.

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