Updated March 20, 2026, 7:15 p.m. CT

LSU women’s basketball exploded for a 116-58 win over Jacksonville on Friday to open the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The No. 2 seeded Tigers got March Madness started with a victory on their home court in the PMAC.

Head coach Kim Mulkey’s team eclipsed the 100-point mark for the 15th time this season, which ties an NCAA Division I record. The Tigers advance to the second round and will play the winner of Texas Tech vs. Villanova.

Every player who saw time for LSU scored. Seven Tigers finished in double figures, led by Flau’Jae Johnson with 20 points. Mikaylah Williams tallied a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. The team shot 60% from the field.

The true freshmen showed out in the first NCAA Tournament game of their careers. ZaKiyah Johnson, Grace Knox, Divine Bourrage and Bella Hines each played 10 or more minutes and combined for 37 points and 20 rebounds.

LSU scored 67 points off of turnovers and in transition to cement a commanding win over the ASUN Tournament champion Dolphins.

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The Tigers advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a commanding victory over the Dolphins. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s team will play the winner of Texas Tech vs. Villanova.

Seven players finished in double figures for LSU, led by Flau’Jae Johnson with 20 points. Mikaylah Williams recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists.

LSU ties NCAA record

For the 15th time this season, LSU scored 100 points. The feat ties an NCAA Division I record for most 100 point games in a single season.

Fulwiley scored the basket that put LSU at 100 points by finishing a fast break layup. LSU holds a 104-54 lead with 6:26 left in the game.

E3: LSU 92, Jacksonville 48

The strategy remained the same for LSU in the third quarter. The Tigers created havoc on defense and allowed the effort to fuel its scoring. They have 30+ points in each of the first three frames.

Defense fuels LSU offense

LSU usually relies on forcing turnovers and coming away with steals. The Tigers have 14 steals through nearly 25 minutes of play while also forcing 22 turnovers.

50 of LSU’s points came via turnovers or fast break opportunities.

LSU extends lead

Williams made a behind-the-back pass to Richard for the layup, prompting a Jacksonville timeout. LSU is up 80-46

The Tigers are currently on a 9-2 run over the last minute of play. Williams provided the assist on the last two baskets. She’s clicking on all cylinders as a scorer and play maker.

Koval comes in

Knox picked up her third foul of the game early in the third quarter. She was replaced by Koval with under seven minutes to play in the fame. The freshman scored six points to open the third quarter before exiting.

LSU leads 75-41.

Jacksonville’s leading scorer out

The Dolphins’ head coach Special Jennings confirmed leading scorer Priscilla Williams will not return against LSU. Despite her absence, Jacksonville found ways to score towards the end of the second quarter and to open the second half.

Knox starts strong

Knox replaced Koval in the starting lineup to begin the second half and she took advantage. The freshman knocked down two foul shots and finished a layup to score LSU’s first four points of the third quarter.

HALF: LSU 64, Jacksonville 36

The Tigers started the second quarter fast but with their starters on the bench, Jacksonville gained momentum heading into the locker room.

LSU’s 64 points in the first half is a record of the program.

Hines comes out in pain

The true freshman guard headed to the bench slowly after limping around the court for a bit. She remains on the bench for LSU after time with the athletic trainer.

Jacksonville strings points together

The Dolphins are on a 9-0 run over the last minute and a half. They are starting to shoot with confidence and contest LSU inside.

LSU leads 58-34 with under a minute and a half left in the first half.

Fulwiley starts block party

The LSU guard has two blocks in the second quarter. On the most recent one, she picked up the loose ball and got it to Hines running the floor for a layup. Fulwiley is everywhere for the Tigers to start March Madness.

LSU scoring at will

Whether they get shots up from the perimeter or in the paint, the Tigers are getting every look they want against Jacksonville. They are 56% from the field on the game so far.

LSU is up 52-25 with 4:41 left in the first half.

Jacksonville leading scorer out

Priscilla Williams is getting medical attention on the sideline and is not in to begin the second quarter. She has five points for the Dolphins.

E1: LSU 34, Jacksonville 14

The Tigers cooled off from the field as subs started rolling in. They finished shooting 52% in the opening 10 minutes of play.

Williams leads all scorers with nine points. She made three of her four shots from the field, including two three-pointers.

All newcomers come in

For a few possessions, LSU had five newcomers on the court between four true freshmen and Fulwiley. Mulkey put Koval and Williams back in after Grace Knox picked up her second foul.

LSU leads 27-10 with under three and a half minutes left in the first quarter.

Hines gets in for LSU

The true freshman guard finished the regular season strong. She’s in for her first minutes of the NCAA Tournament as LSU looks to extend its lead.

LSU shoots sharply to open

The Tigers made seven of their first 10 attempts from the field, making shots in all facets. They did so while holding Jacksonville scoreless for nearly the first three minutes of play.

LSU leads 22-7 with 4:56 left in the first quarter.

Substitutes come in

Mulkey went to her bench with 5:48 left in the first quarter. MiLaysia Fulwiley and Grace Knox are in for their first minutes of the NCAA Tournament.

Lead grows to double digits

LSU is up 18-4 with under seven minutes left in the first quarter. The Tigers are shooting 63% from the field. ZaKiyah Johnson and Williams each have six points.

Defense clicking for LSU

Jacksonville cannot get the ball inside to leading scorer Priscella Williams. The Dolphins turned the ball over twice and haven’t attempted a shot from the field in the opening minute and a half. LSU is swarming around the perimeter and inside.

Tigers start fast

ZaKiyah Johnson scored her first points of the NCAA Tournament to get LSU’s offense started. The Tigers are up 8-0, capped by a three from Mikaylah Williams. The triple prompted a timeout by Jacksonville.

What channel is LSU women’s basketball vs. Jacksonville on today?TV Channel: ESPNLivestream:Fubo (free trial), ESPN+

No. 2 seed LSU women’s basketball vs. No. 15 Jacksonville will broadcast nationally on ESPN in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Tiffany Greene and Carolyn Peck will call the game from the booth at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La., with Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Fans can also stream the game with ESPN Unlimited.

LSU women’s basketball game vs. Jacksonville time todayDate: Friday, March 20Start time: 5 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET

The LSU women’s basketball vs. Jacksonville game starts at 5 p.m. CT from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

Stream LSU women’s basketball vs. JacksonvilleStarting five for LSU women’s basketball

Head coach Kim Mulkey stuck with Flau’Jae Johnson, Jada Richard and Mikaylah Williams in the back court to open the 2026 NCAA Tournament. True freshman ZaKiyah Johnson also gets the starting nod in her first March Madness game. Kate Koval starts at the five for the Tigers in her first NCAA Tournament game donning the purple and gold.

LSU women’s basketball vs. Jacksonville predictions, picks, oddsLSU 104, Jacksonville 59: The Tigers will dominate the game in every facet, utilizing their length and transition game to score in bunches. Jacksonville simply doesn’t have the scorers or talent to keep up with one of the country’s best offenses.Spread: LSU by 51.5Over/under: 162 1/2NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Schedule — Friday, March 20Time (ET)MatchupNetwork11:30 a.m.(3) Duke vs. (14) Col. of CharlestonESPN212 p.m.(3) TCU vs. (14) UC San DiegoESPN1:30 p.m.(8) Oregon vs. (9) Virginia TechESPN22 p.m.(6) Baylor vs. (11) NebraskaESPN2:30 p.m.(6) Washington vs. (11) South Dakota StateESPNews3 p.m.(5) Maryland vs. (12) Murray StateESPNU3:30 p.m.(5) Ole Miss vs. (12) GonzagaESPN24 p.m.(1) Texas vs. (16) Missouri StateESPN5:30 p.m.(2) Michigan vs. (15) Holy CrossESPN25:30 p.m.(4) North Carolina vs. (13) Western IllinoisESPNews6 p.m.(2) LSU vs. (15) JacksonvilleESPN6 p.m.(4) Minnesota vs. (13) Green BayESPNU7:30 p.m.(5) Michigan State vs. (12) Colorado StateESPNews8 p.m.(7) NC State vs. (10) TennesseeESPN8:30 p.m.(7) Texas Tech vs. (10) VillanovaESPNU10 p.m.(4) Oklahoma vs. (13) IdahoESPNLSU vs Jacksonville series history

LSU women’s basketball and Jacksonville have only met once before. The game was in December of 2023, when the Tigers secured a comfortable victory over the Dolphins at the PMAC.

LSU’s all-time NCAA Tournament record

LSU is 56-29 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. LSU has hosted the first round in Baton Rouge every year that Kim Mulkey has led the program. She’s led the Tigers to a national title and two more Elite 8’s.