The Pete Maravich Assembly Center was full. LSU was prepared with its fifth different starting lineup, and standing across from them was UTA, one of the bigger teams No. 5 has faced in the first couple of months this season. And the changed lineup worked well, thanks to deeper motivation.

That motivation came from the team’s sneakers, uniquely designed with noticeable extra colors. The inspiration came after LSU’s players visited Our Lady of the Lakes Children’s Hospital to decorate sneakers with patients.

“It touches your heart when you see people who have to deal with sickness during the holiday or any time of the year,” head coach Kim Mulkey said Friday. “If you can just bring a smile to a kid’s face, take a picture with them, or give them a gift, it’s an opportunity to bring some joy into their lives during a difficult time.”

Those same shoes were on display during the game. “Playing for something bigger than ourselves,” the LSU women’s basketball official account penned. And with those shoes on display, LSU’s feet were consistently in the right position defensively.

“I thought we tried to stop straight-line drives and keep people out of the paint,” Mulkey said. LSU, now 13–0 on the season, limited the Lady Mavericks to just 24% shooting in the first half. They went up by 40 points halfway through the third quarter. By the end of the game, UTA finished with a 23% field-goal percentage and 34 turnovers.

And it wasn’t just defense. Even offensively, LSU was on fire. Joyner recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds while MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 23 points. Also, Jada Richard added a season-high 10 points. Overall, seven LSU players scored at least seven points. Yet no one was more impressive than Grace Knox.

How Grace Knox Stunned Everyone?

Grace Knox had the best game of her young career. The freshman posted a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, recording just the second double-double of her LSU career.

She went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line and filled the stat sheet with three blocks and three steals. “I said, ‘Holy cow,’” Mulkey admitted. “I don’t even know if this kid realizes just how special she can become.”

The 6-foot-2 freshman from Las Vegas played 28 minutes, her most this season. That was all she needed. She’s now just the fifth Division I freshman to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game this season.

Next up, Knox and the Tigers turn their attention to Alabama State.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das