ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — Flau’Jae Johnson scored 25 points to lead LSU to an 80-59 victory over Georgia in a Southeastern Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Stegeman Coliseum. The Tigers, who improved to 14-2 overall, never trailed. They built a 10-point halftime lead and pulled away in the fourth quarter, holding the Bulldogs to 11 points in the final period. Johnson added two assists and two blocks for LSU. MiLaysia Fulwiley added 18 points for the Tigers. Dani Carnegie led Georgia, which fell to 15-2, with 24 points. LSU dominated inside, outscoring Georgia 48-22 in the paint and shooting 56.9% from the field. The Bulldogs struggled offensively, shooting just 31% overall and 4 for 29 from three-point range. Attendance was 4,857.

ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Southeastern Conference clash between two teams with championship aspirations, the LSU women’s basketball team delivered a statement performance on the road Thursday night. Led by a dominant 25-point effort from Flau’Jae Johnson, the Tigers methodically dismantled Georgia 80-59 at Stegeman Coliseum. The game was characterized by LSU’s suffocating defense and efficient offense, which overwhelmed a Georgia squad that entered the contest with just one loss. The Tigers improved to 14-2 overall, while the Bulldogs fell to 15-2. The most important part of the game was LSU’s immediate and sustained defensive pressure, which set a physical tone and never allowed Georgia to find an offensive rhythm. From the opening tip, the Tigers’ length and athleticism disrupted passing lanes and challenged every shot. This defensive foundation was evident in the stark statistical contrasts. Georgia was held to a frigid 31 percent shooting from the field, including a dismal 4-of-29 from three-point range. LSU also blocked eight shots, with MiLaysia Fulwiley swatting four and Johnson adding two. Offensively, LSU exploited its advantages inside, scoring 48 points in the paint compared to Georgia’s 22. The Tigers shot a blistering 56.9 percent from the field, overcoming their own struggles from beyond the arc. Their offensive rating of 108.7 on 74 possessions underscored a highly efficient performance. Johnson, a Savannah, Georgia native, was spectacular in her return to her home state. She filled the stat sheet with 25 points, two assists and two blocks in 31 minutes, showcasing a versatile scoring attack that included drives, mid-range jumpers and a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter. Her performance was a bounce-back after being held to just three points in LSU’s loss at Vanderbilt four days prior. She received ample support. MiLaysia Fulwiley added 18 points, three assists and four blocks off the bench, providing a constant spark. Amiya Joyner contributed 12 points and was a force defensively, while ZaKiyah Johnson also chipped in 12 points. Point guard Jada Richard directed the offense with six assists. Georgia was led by Dani Carnegie’s game-high 24 points, but she needed 22 shots to get there. Trinity Turner added 11 points. The Bulldogs’ offense never clicked, hampered by 10 turnovers and an inability to convert second-chance opportunities despite grabbing 14 offensive rebounds. LSU established control early, leading 19-15 after a first quarter that saw both teams trade baskets. The Tigers began to create separation in the second period, holding Georgia to 13 points to take a 38-28 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs made a push in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to as few as eight points behind Carnegie’s scoring, but could not sustain the rally. Any hope of a Georgia comeback was extinguished in the final period. LSU opened the fourth quarter on a 12-2 run, capped by a Johnson layup that pushed the lead to 60-41 with 8:11 remaining. The Tigers’ lead ballooned to as many as 24 points as they cruised to the finish, outscoring Georgia 24-11 in the quarter. The victory was a critical response for LSU following its recent two-game skid against Kentucky and Vanderbilt. It also served notice to the conference that the Tigers’ high-powered offense, which has defined their season, is complemented by a defense capable of stifling elite opponents. Georgia, which had won its previous game in overtime against Texas A&M, now faces a quick turnaround with a trip to South Carolina on Sunday. LSU returns home to host Texas in another marquee SEC matchup on Sunday. The announced attendance was 4,857. LSU covered the pregame spread as a 16.5-point favorite. The total score of 139 points fell under the over/under line of 147.5.

Top-10 Clash Set as LSU Visits Georgia ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — A marquee Southeastern Conference women’s basketball showdown is set for Thursday night when the LSU Tigers visit the fourth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum. Both teams enter with championship aspirations, combining for a 28-3 record. Georgia (15-1, 1-1 SEC) looks to protect its home court and build momentum after a gritty 64-56 overtime win over Texas A&M on Sunday. LSU (13-2, 0-2 SEC), the preseason conference favorite, seeks its first league victory following back-to-back narrow road losses at Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The matchup features two of the nation’s premier guards. LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley is a dynamic playmaker, coming off a 13-point, seven-rebound, six-assist performance in the loss to Vanderbilt. Her season highlights include a 23-point outing against Texas-Arlington and an 11-assist game versus Alabama State. Georgia counters with Dani Carnegie, a force who logged 43 minutes and posted a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double in the overtime win against the Aggies. Carnegie has scored 20 or more points in three of her last six games, establishing herself as a consistent All-American candidate. The Tigers’ offensive firepower will be tested by a stout Georgia defense. LSU averages over 90 points per game but was held to 61 in its last outing. Center Kate Koval, who had nine points and 10 rebounds against Vanderbilt, will be key against Georgia’s interior presence. The Bulldogs’ lone blemish was a 79-62 loss at Mississippi on New Year’s Day. Since then, they have relied on Carnegie and forward Mia Woolfolk, who added 15 points and five rebounds against Texas A&M. History adds intrigue, as LSU has dominated the recent series, but this Georgia squad presents its strongest challenge in years. The winner gains a critical early-season advantage in the loaded SEC race. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. LSU returns home to host Texas on Sunday, while Georgia travels to face top-ranked South Carolina.