Making History in Absence of Angel Reese, How Has Mikaylah Williams Performed So Far?

The Louisiana State University Lady Tigers have a 7-1 record in the current NCAA tournament and look to be top contenders for the Championship Playoffs much like the previous season. Though they have dealt with their fair share of controversies with their star Angel Reese not playing any match after their gametime with the Kent State, the LSU have surprisingly won all their games from that point on. 

Much of the credit goes to their freshman Mikaylah Williams who has stepped up in the absence of Bayou Barbie. She has mesmerized everyone with her spectacular performances. Williams’ gaming acumen is not only commendable but has also cemented her place in the LSU history.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Colorado Buffaloes 78-92

The LSU unfortunately lost their season opener against the Colorado Buffaloes by a decent margin of 78-92. This has been the only game they have lost this season. Williams plied her trade for 31 minutes and potted a team-high 17 points in this match. This game threw the spotlight on her since everyone became aware of what the LSU freshman could do. With this she achieved a virtuous 50% field goal percentage and the same amount of three-pointer percentage.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Queens University Royals 112-55

The LSU came back much stronger and more prepared in their next game against the Queens University Royals. They decimated them by a clear margin of 112-55. Going by what they had experienced in their first game, being a freshman Williams was given less time of only 16 minutes in which she basketed 9 points with a solitary rebound and 2 assists.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Mississippi Valley State Devilettes 109-47

The LSU Lady Tigers battled it out against the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes in their third game of the tournament. The Lady Tigers upended the Devilettes in a lopsided game by a blowout margin of 109-47. 

Williams smashed the second highest points for her team and also the game, potting 20 points with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. In this match, she had started showing traces of being a great offensive player as well a respectable defensive performer.

Additionally, she had a 7-for-11 field goal record and a 5-for-6 three-pointer tally. What was to come next was could only have been envisioned in fantasy.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Kent State Golden Flashes 109-79

The LSU had one of their major games against the Kent State for two reasons. Firstly, this was the game when we would last see Angel Reese for now in the current tournament. She only played for 13 minutes in the first half and was benched for the next.

Secondly, the LSU head coach Kim Mulkey had other tactics in mind when she gave Williams 36 minutes – by far the most she has received in a college contest. The freshman didn’t disappoint, besotting a career high of 42 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

She smoked the highest points by an LSU freshman in history and the most by any player in the last 25 years of their program. Fighting against senior players with her record, Williams was showered a lot of accolades post this match.

As per LSUreveille, Mulkey went onto label her a “special talent.”

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Southeastern Louisiana Lions 73-50

The Lady Tigers thrashed the Lions by a worthy margin of 73-50. Williams totted the game’s second-highest 13 points behind their guard Flau’jae Johnson’s 17. Williams was given 33 minutes in the match and was also included in the starting five.

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She topped her performances with 3 assists and a solitary rebound and steal. She had an exceptional 6-for-6 free throw finesse which proved that she could also utilized by Mulkey during clutch moments. Overall, it was quite an upstanding display by Williams.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Texas Southern Tigers 106-47

The Lady Tigers convincingly dominated the Texas with an extraordinary 106-47 victory. Williams was only allowed 24 minutes in which she soused 14 points with three rebounds and four assists. With a 57.1% three-pointer, she had a remarkable tally of 4-for-7.

Apart from this, she also had a 100% free throw percentage, restricting the opponents with a single turnover and a block. Her brilliance didn’t let the LSU fans miss their star Angel Reese.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Niagara Purple Eagles 99-65

The LSU trumped Niagara Purple Eagles in their seventh game by a blowout margin of 99-65. Williams once again contributed her part by wrecking 19 points with 5 rebounds. She also had a noticeable 8-for-12 field goals.

By this contest, Williams looked like a confirmed player in the Lady Tigers line-up.

Louisiana State University Lady Tigers vs Virginia Cavaliers 76-73

The Tigers edged past the Cavaliers by a close margin of 76-73. Williams was given 24 minutes in this game but Mulkey was trying something new. Williams could only score 6 points with 5 rebounds. Her field goal tally also dropped to 2-for-10. 

The LSU however saved the face and won the battle in the last.

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Williams so far has played 8 matches, bucketing an average of 17.5 points with 3.9 rebounds per match and 2.3 assists per game. She has been the go-to player in Reese’s absence and with this rate might become the next star player to come out of the LSU lineup.