LSU Tigers Face Growing Concerns as Angel Reese’s Squad Suffers Second Consecutive Loss
Despite a commendable performance by Angel Reese and her double-double, the LSU Tigers faced disappointment as they suffered their second consecutive loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a score of 77-73. This defeat, following a close match against top-ranked South Carolina, has left LSU out of the top 10 rankings, prompting head coach Kim Mulkey to seek solutions just six weeks before the NCAA Tournament.
LSU Tigers
The game in Starkville saw LSU Tigers overcoming an early deficit to lead 40-35 at halftime. However, Mississippi State launched a formidable comeback in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 28-17 in the third quarter and ultimately securing the upset victory in a hard-fought battle during the fourth quarter.
In the postgame analysis, Coach Mulkey expressed frustration over the team’s defensive struggles, emphasizing the inability to secure critical stops when needed. Mississippi State capitalized on their offensive efficiency, shooting over 50 percent from the field (30/57) against the LSU Tigers defense. The Bulldogs showcased sharpshooting accuracy from beyond the arc, making nine of 17 three-point attempts. In contrast, LSU faced challenges in adapting to the lively atmosphere at Humphrey Coliseum, shooting 44.6 percent overall and a mere 21 percent from three-point range.
Despite the team’s overall struggle, Angel Reese delivered an outstanding performance, rebounding from her earlier foul-out against top-ranked South Carolina. Reese led the team with 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting and secured an impressive 18 rebounds, surpassing half of the Tigers’ total of 35 boards. This marked her 12th double-double of the 2023/24 season and her third game in the last six with at least 18 rebounds. Additionally, Reese achieved her 11th game with 20 or more points during the year.
As the Tigers face challenges and seek answers in the remaining weeks before the NCAA Tournament, the individual excellence of players like Angel Reese stands as a positive aspect amid the team’s recent setbacks.
