Preview: LSU Tigers at Mississippi Rebels OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — A pivotal Southeastern Conference women’s basketball clash with postseason seeding implications is set for Thursday when the LSU Tigers visit the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion. Both teams enter with momentum checked by a recent loss to a top-tier opponent. LSU (21-4, 9-3 SEC) fell 79-72 to then-South Carolina last Saturday, snapping a five-game winning streak. Mississippi (20-6, 8-4) seeks to rebound from a 74-57 road loss at Kentucky this past Sunday. The matchup features two of the league’s most dynamic guards. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson is averaging 15.2 points in conference play and is coming off a 21-point performance against the Gamecocks. Her versatility on both ends will be critical for the Tigers’ transition attack. Mississippi counters with Christeen Iwuala, a consistent force who posted 18 points and two blocks in a key win over Vanderbilt on Jan. 30. Her ability to score inside and defend multiple positions will be tested by LSU’s deep frontcourt. The Tigers have dominated recent meetings, but the Rebels’ home-court advantage at The Pavilion is significant. Mississippi is 12-1 at home this season, with the lone loss a narrow 64-63 defeat to Alabama on Feb. 5. LSU boasts a 7-2 road record, with its SEC road losses coming at Texas and Vanderbilt. LSU’s offense, which averages 88.3 points in SEC wins, will challenge a stout Mississippi defense that holds opponents to 60.8 points per game at home. The Rebels must contain LSU’s secondary scorers like Mikaylah Williams, who had 11 points in the South Carolina game, to succeed. For Mississippi, production beyond Iwuala is vital. Forward Latasha Lattimore is coming off a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double at Kentucky and will be central to the Rebels’ rebounding effort against a physical LSU squad. The outcome will heavily influence the race for a top-four seed and double-bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament. LSU currently sits in third place, while Mississippi is tied for fourth. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.