BATON ROUGE — Mikaylah Williams muscled her way inside off the dribble drive and powered her way through the contact. She made the layup and converted the free throw.
Next possession after Jada Richard stole a pass, she led the break, she found an open Williams on the wing who drained the three. Just like it was 8-0 No. 2 LSU women’s basketball.
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And just like that, the game was already sealed.
LSU rolled Jacksonville, 116-58, to open the 2026 Women’s March Madness inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center Friday. LSU advances to meet the winner of No. 7 Texas Tech (25-7) and No. 10 Villanova (25-7) in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday.
LSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Complete Tigers coverage from The Daily Advertiser
The Tigers (28-5), led by Williams’ 18 points, were up 20 by the end of the opening period and 28 points by halftime. Williams showed out in all facets for the Tigers with 10 assists, five rebounds and three steals.
As a team, the Tigers racked up 18 steals, breaking a program record for an NCAA Tournament contest.
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Fellow LSU star senior Flau’jae Johnson finished with a game-high 20 points while freshman forward ZaKiyah Johnson scored 16 as well. Junior MiLaysia Fulwiley pitched in 13.
Notably, LSU senior forward Amiya Joyner did not play against Jacksonville.
No. 15 Jacksonville (24-9) did not score until 7:13 left in the first quarter and didn’t get a rebound against LSU for the first 6:33 of the game. Carmaya Bowman paced the Dolphins with 14 points, the one Jacksonville player to score in double figures.
LSU women’s basketball vs Jacksonville game score, live updates in Women’s March Madness