BATON ROUGE, La. – The sixth-ranked LSU Tigers are set to host the Tennessee Volunteers on Thursday evening at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, marking the culmination of their home schedule for the 2025-26 regular season. This game also serves as the final regular season home appearance for three distinguished LSU seniors.
LSU will pay tribute to three senior athletes: Flau’jae Johnson, Izzy Besselman, and Amiya Joyner. Johnson and Besselman have been integral parts of the LSU program for four years, while Joyner joined the team this season after transferring from East Carolina.
Both Johnson and Besselman were instrumental in securing LSU’s inaugural national championship in 2023. Throughout their tenure, they have contributed to 120 victories and significant postseason achievements, with the Tigers reaching at least the Elite Eight every season since their freshman year.
Joyner arrived at LSU already recognized as one of the nation’s premier rebounders, a skill she has consistently demonstrated in Baton Rouge, leading the team with 211 boards. Known affectionately as “Mymy,” Joyner has also brought a vibrant personality that has enriched this year’s squad during her time as a Tiger.
Thursday night will witness the 75th all-time women’s basketball contest between LSU and Tennessee at the Maravich Center. The highly anticipated clash between the Tigers and Lady Vols will be broadcast on ESPN, featuring Ryan Ruocco on play-by-play, Rebecca Lobo as analyst, and Holly Rowe reporting courtside. Fans can also catch the live audio on the LSU Sports Radio Network with Patrick Wright and Shaeeta Williams on the call.
Historically, Tennessee holds a 53-21 lead in the 74 games played against LSU. However, the Tigers have recently dominated the series, winning six of the last eight matchups, including the last three consecutive games against the Lady Vols since February 13, 2020. LSU aims to extend this winning streak to four, a feat never before accomplished against Tennessee. In games played in Baton Rouge, LSU’s record stands at 11-16. Under Coach Kim Mulkey’s leadership, the Tigers boast an impressive 5-1 record versus Tennessee.
Over 28 games, LSU has maintained an astonishing average of 95.5 points per game, a figure that currently leads the entire nation. This remarkable scoring pace is on track to surpass the SEC record for scoring average, established by Georgia in 1986 with 89.2 points over 32 games (2,855 total points). The Tigers have already accumulated 2,673 points through their 28 contests this season.
Heading into the Tennessee game, junior guard Mikaylah Williams has amassed 1,492 career points at LSU. With just 8 more points, Williams will reach the 1,500-point milestone in her collegiate career, becoming the 17th LSU player to achieve this feat while representing Baton Rouge. This season, Williams has showcased her exceptional scoring prowess with 360 points, averaging 12.9 per game. Additionally, she ranks 15th in LSU history for assists (324) and 6th for three-pointers made (160).
After surpassing 1,900 points against No. 4 Texas, making her the 7th LSU Tiger to reach this milestone, Flau’jae Johnson is rapidly approaching the 2,000-point mark. With 1,900 points, Johnson joined an elite group of LSU legends including Joyce Walker (2,906), Seimone Augustus (2,702), Julie Gross (2,488), Cornelia Gayden (2,451), Sylvia Fowles (2,234), and Khayla Pointer (1,934). Johnson is just 35 points shy of becoming one of only six LSU players to score 2,000 career points. She currently ranks 12th among active Division I players in total points scored with 1,965.
Junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley delivered a standout performance against the Missouri Tigers, guiding LSU to a dominant 108-55 victory and securing her first career double-double with 22 points. This marked Fulwiley’s second consecutive 20-point game, complemented by 11 rebounds for her inaugural double-double. She also contributed four assists, two steals, and three blocks. Her offensive efficiency was notable, shooting 7-of-11 from the field, an impressive 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 2-2 from the free-throw line. The six three-pointers set a new career high for the first-year LSU player.
Beyond Fulwiley’s six treys against Missouri, LSU collectively drained an additional six three-pointers, totaling 12 for the game. This performance ranks as the second-highest in program history, just shy of the 13 threes recorded against Missouri on January 16, 2014. LSU’s record-setting day at the Maravich Center continued with an incredible 72 rebounds, the most by an LSU team in the NCAA women’s basketball championship era (1982-present). The home Tigers decisively outrebounded their visitors by a margin of 47 (72-25).
LSU’s remaining schedule in SEC play consists of two games: one away game against Mississippi State and the final home game against Tennessee.
LSU currently leads the nation in three significant statistical categories: bench points per game (39.7), rebound margin (19.1), and scoring offense (95.5).