03/22/26 04:32:00
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03/22 16:31 CDT Johnson and Williams help LSU outgun Texas Tech 101-47 in March
Madness and set an NCAA record
Johnson and Williams help LSU outgun Texas Tech 101-47 in March Madness and set
an NCAA record
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) --- Flau'jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams each scored 24
points and No. 2 seed LSU set an NCAA record for 100-point games in a season
with a 101-47 victory over Texas Tech on Sunday in the second round of the
women's NCAA Tournament.
Amiya Joyner added 11 points and 11 rebounds for LSU, which shot 56% against a
Lady Raiders squad that hangs its hat on its pressing defense and had allowed
just 52 points to Villanova in the first round.
Jada Richard's 3 in the final minute pushed LSU (29-5) across the 100-point
mark for the 16th time this season, a Division I record, eclipsing the mark
Long Beach State had owned since the 1986-87 season.
The Tigers, who came in averaging a nation's best 95.1 points per game,
advanced to a fifth straight Sweet 16 under coach Kim Mulkey in style.
LSU led by as many as 56 points, dazzling the partisan Pete Maravich Assembly
Center crowd with explosive, up-tempo play, accurate spot-up shooting and an
ability to finish through contact at the rim.
With LSU leading by 50 early in the fourth quarter, Mulkey ceremoniously subbed
Johnson out of the dynamic guard's final game on the Tigers' home court and
they shared a long embrace. Johnson then raised both arms above her head to
acknowledge the roaring, standing crowd before pulling her jersey up over her
face to wipe her eyes.
With the crowd erupting for Johnson during introductions and whenever she had
the ball, she gave the fans what they wanted.
There was a crossover dribble through converging defenders to set up a floating
scoop as she soared across the lane. She later hit a spot-up 3-pointer and
finished at the rim on several fast breaks.
Tech defenders hustled hard to try to stay in front of her, and at one point
two Lady Raiders collided and fell under the basket as Johnson rose up along
the right side of the key, the ball in her right hand high above her head
before she scored softly off the glass.
When Johnson wasn't giving Tech fits, Williams was with an array of mid-range
jumpers or finishing through contact in the paint.
Williams had 14 points and Johnson 13 by halftime, when LSU 43-25.
When Johnson whipped a fast-break pass across the court to Williams for an
open, take-your-time 3, Tech coach Krista Gerlich reacted with a wry smile. The
Tigers were in the zone, and the rout was on.
As the third quarter wound down, Johnson used a jab step on the dribble to set
up a step-back 3 from the corner. That made it 76-32, and as the crowd went
wild, Johnson hopped in the air and pumped her fist.
Her home finale was going just as she'd envisioned it, and her fourth straight
trip to the Sweet 16 was at hand.
Texas Tech's leading scorer was Bailey Maupin with 19 points. The Lady Raiders
(26-8) shot just 25% (16 of 63).
Up next
LSU is slated to play on Friday in the Sacramento 2 regional semifinals against
Baylor or Duke.
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and
coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
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