The LSU Tigers’ senior Malaysia Fulwiley (32) outscored UNT Dallas (31) by herself in Thursday’s exhibition game. Kim Mulkey couldn’t have hoped for a better kick-start before the season begins as the Tigers recorded a 128-point (159-31) win over the Trailblazers. Watching her former team annihilate their opponents without much competition, Flau’jae Johnson could barely hold her celebration.
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“Omg seeing my girls hoop without me is so crazy, they’re so amazing,” the Seattle Storm player wrote in her tweet.
Johnson spent her last four years as a big part of Mulkey’s LSU. She was part of the roster in 2023 that brought a national championship to the program. In Johnson’s last season, the Tigers exited in the Sweet Sixteen round. The Golden State Valkyries drafted her 8th overall in April earlier this year. She was traded to the Storm on the same night for Marta Suárez and a second-round pick in 2028.
This is not the first time that a team has recorded a win by 100 or more points in an exhibition game, and not the first time for LSU either. Incidentally, Johnson was also a part of last year’s Tigers team that recorded a 102-point win over Mississippi College in an exhibition game.
Johnson played all four years at LSU as a starter, averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In 141 games in total, she shot 46.7% from the field, 37.3% from the 3-point line. She is a two-time First-team All-SEC and won SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023.
The insane box score from LSU vs. UNT Dallas highlights the Tigers’ dominance without much competition
Fulwiley out-scoring the Trailblazers all by herself wasn’t the only wild stat from Wednesday’s exhibition matchup at the Maravich Center. UNT shooting just 26.53% from the field, 15.38% from deep and 25% from the free-throw line was perhaps the most normal thing on the stat sheet. From turnovers to fast-break points and second-chance points, UNT’s performance in either category was practically non-existent compared to LSU.
The visitors committed more turnovers (46) than they scored in the game: turnover numbers don’t even come remotely close to point totals in a normal game, let alone surpass them. Here is some more. LSU scored more fast break points (61), had more bench points (49) and nearly as many second chance points (29) compared to the Trailblazers’ total points. Moreover, the Tigers’ points off turnovers (82) were over twice UNT’s points.
The Tigers started the opening quarter with a 21-0 lead. UNT’s first point came with 4:45 minutes remaining in the opening period, and by halftime, Mulkey’s team was leading 78-18. Of four quarters, UNT scored in single digits in three quarters. They scored 11 in the second quarter and just 4 points in the fourth.
The trend was similar in individual numbers. Eight of the Trailblazers’ players went scoreless, almost as many as LSU players (7) in double digits. De’Asia Johnson was the only player who scored in double digits (11 points). Three of their starters also went scoreless. The Trailblazers’ meltdown happened when the Tigers were already without forwards Noa Morro and Anna Minaeva.
Malaysia Fulwiley dominates on both ends
Fulwiley was simply outstanding for LSU. In her first year under Mulkey, the former Gamecocks player had her best season. From the first game, it’s pretty obvious that she would be LSU’s primary offensive option.
She led her team with 32 points and 17 assists in 31 minutes, shooting 12 of 18 shots from the field and 7 of 11 shots from the 3-point line. She also added 6 rebounds and 7 steals and played without committing a turnover.
“I’m trying to go out there every day in practice getting better at the things I need to and (taking care of the basketball) is definitely one of them,” Fulwiley said after the game. “I’m excited to see how I compete against better competition, but today, I was very satisfied with not turning over the ball.”
Fulwiley didn’t run much of LSU’s offense. Jada Williams and Chloe Larry shared most of the ball-handling responsibility. However, in her last year, Fulwiley looked much more in control. LSU looks strong, but their season will be judged when they face a strong contending team.
The Tigers will play one more exhibition game on Oct. 29 against Loyola (N.O.). They will open their regular season against Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 2.