LSU Tigers Prove Grit in Thrilling Comeback Against Stanford
The LSU Tigers are sitting pretty with an undefeated record, but let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: their schedule so far has been, well, less than intimidating. They’ve faced just one ranked team and haven’t played a single true road game. Out of their 11 wins, eight have come at home, and the other three were at neutral sites. The real test for LSU? That won’t come until Jan. 9, when they face Tennessee. Until then, skeptics might have their doubts, but Thursday night’s electrifying comeback win over Stanford should silence some of the noise.
Down six points with just 40 seconds left in regulation, the Tigers pulled off a jaw-dropping rally to force overtime and ultimately secured a 94-88 victory. It was a game for the ages in the SEC/ACC Challenge, and it showcased exactly why LSU deserves the benefit of the doubt. This team doesn’t just play to win—they play until the final buzzer, and that’s a mentality that’s hard to beat.
LSU’s Never-Say-Die Attitude
Some teams have a knack for finding ways to lose close games. LSU? They’re the polar opposite. If Kim Mulkey’s squad is within striking distance in the final minutes, you can bet they’ll find a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Ranked sixth in this week’s ESPN Power Rankings, the Tigers proved their mettle against Stanford in dramatic fashion.
Here’s how it all went down: LSU guard Mikaylah Williams sparked the comeback with a three-point play that cut Stanford’s lead to three with 33 seconds left. After Stanford sank two free throws, LSU’s Kailyn Gilbert drained a clutch three-pointer. Then, the Tigers forced a turnover on the inbound play, setting up Williams for a game-tying jumper with just four seconds on the clock. Williams wasn’t done yet—she opened overtime with a three-pointer, and LSU never looked back.
After the game, Mulkey couldn’t help but notice some fans had started leaving the Pete Maravich Assembly Center before the Tigers’ miraculous rally. “I did … I saw it. Sure did. Some of them turned back around,” Mulkey said. “The Tigers played until the clock ran out. And that’s basically how we won the game.”
Adjustments That Made the Difference
Mulkey’s coaching instincts were on full display against Stanford. Forced to go with a smaller lineup, she made adjustments on the fly that ultimately paid off. “You can game-plan all you want,” Mulkey said. “And then everything can be thrown out the window based upon what’s taking place. You make decisions in the heat of the game. I felt [with] all those cuts, 3-point shooters and how they were taking us off the drive, we could guard better with smaller players.”
Williams was the star of the night, finishing with 32 points and nine rebounds. The SEC’s Freshman of the Year last season, Williams is averaging 16.2 points per game this season, trailing only Flau’Jae Johnson (22.0 PPG) and Aneesah Morrow (18.0 PPG) on the team. With Angel Reese now in the WNBA, Morrow has stepped up as LSU’s top rebounder, averaging 13.5 boards per game.
New Faces, Same Dominance
LSU’s roster has undergone some changes, but the Tigers haven’t missed a beat. Transfer guards Gilbert (from Arizona) and Shayeann Day-Wilson (from Miami and Duke) have filled the void left by Hailey Van Lith, who led LSU in assists last season before transferring to TCU. The return of forward Sa’Myah Smith, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, has also been a boost.
Despite a relatively soft nonconference schedule, LSU is proving they’re ready to contend in the SEC. They were picked to finish third in the conference behind defending national champion South Carolina and newcomer Texas. So far, their only top-tier opponents have been Stanford and NC State, the latter of which LSU defeated 82-65 in the Bahamas. Washington gave LSU their closest game, falling 68-67 in the same tournament.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
While LSU’s schedule hasn’t been the toughest, their resilience and ability to close out games make them a team to watch. Their next big test against Tennessee on Jan. 9 will be a chance to prove they belong among the nation’s elite. For now, the Tigers are focused on building momentum and learning from each game.
“The huddles were very intense,” Williams said of the Stanford game. “But I feel we all had our focus, and we were locked in on what Coach Mulkey was saying.”
With a roster full of talent and a coach who knows how to make the right calls under pressure, LSU is poised to make noise in the SEC and beyond. Don’t let their schedule fool you—this team is the real deal.
Originally Written by: Mechelle Voepel
