LSU
Tennessee
LSU Pulls Away in Second Half for Decisive Home Victory
BATON ROUGE, La. (02/25/2026) — The LSU Tigers used a dominant second half to secure a critical 89-73 victory over the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on Wednesday night in front of 10,877 fans at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Five Tigers scored in double figures as LSU outscored Tennessee 46-31 after halftime to break open a tight contest and earn their fourth consecutive win over the Lady Vols.
With the victory, LSU improves to 25-4 on the season, clinching a top-four seed and a double bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament. The loss marks the fifth straight for a struggling Tennessee squad, dropping them to 16-11 overall.
How It Happened
The game was a back-and-forth affair for the first 20 minutes. Tennessee came out firing from long range, building a six-point lead in the second quarter. However, the Tigers responded with a crucial 14-0 run, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, to surge ahead 32-24. The Lady Vols weathered the storm and closed the half strong, trimming LSU's lead to a single point, 43-42, at the break.
LSU seized control of the game in the third quarter. After Tennessee briefly retook the lead, the Tigers answered with an overwhelming 23-7 run that established a double-digit advantage they would not relinquish. The Tigers' defense was suffocating in the second half, holding the Lady Volunteers to just 33.3% shooting (11-for-33) from the field. LSU capitalized on turnovers and controlled the paint, where they held a 36-18 scoring advantage for the game.
Turning Point
The game's decisive shift occurred midway through the third quarter. With LSU clinging to a slim lead, the Tigers began to assert their dominance. A steal and fastbreak reverse layup by MiLaysia Fulwiley extended the lead to 61-52. This was followed by a corner three-pointer from ZaKiyah Johnson and a putback by Mikaylah Williams off another Tennessee turnover, ballooning the lead to 66-52 and breaking the game open for good.
Star of the Game
Junior guard Mikaylah Williams was the catalyst for the LSU Tigers, delivering a masterful all-around performance. Williams recorded a double-double with a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. She also added five assists, making her presence felt all over the court. During the game, Williams also surpassed 1,500 career points, becoming just the 17th player in LSU history to reach that milestone.
MiLaysia Fulwiley provided a significant spark, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. ZaKiyah Johnson (14 points), Grace Knox (13 points), and Flau'jae Johnson (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Tigers. For Tennessee, freshman guard Jaida Civil led the effort with 17 points and eight rebounds.
What It Means
This victory solidifies LSU's position as a top contender heading into the SEC Tournament. By securing a double bye, the Tigers have a clearer path to the championship and can rest key players. The balanced scoring attack, with five players in double digits, demonstrates their depth and offensive firepower. Their second-half defensive intensity, holding a potent Tennessee offense to just 31 points, sends a strong message to the rest of the conference.
For the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, the loss extends a difficult stretch of their season. Despite a strong offensive showing from Jaida Civil, the team could not overcome LSU's second-half surge. The Lady Vols will look to regroup before closing out their regular season and heading to the conference tournament, where they will aim to reverse their recent fortunes.