The LSU Tigers are clawing their way into the SEC with Flau’Jae Johnson being their motor, but after the Tigers’ recent feat, Johnson crowned someone else.

On March 7, LSU dished out a 112-78 quarterfinal defeat to the no.7 Oklahoma Sooners. And off the bench, MiLaysia Fulwiley was burning hot. Scoring 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists, while shooting 8-15 from the floor and 4-7 from 3P. And postgame, Johnson had to praise Lay’s influence.  

“You know, she's so so talented… a player like that you just can't help but love to play with”, said Johnson. “Even the mistakes that she makes, like it's so cool… she teaches me about confidence a lot because she'll go down there and she won't turn the ball over.”

For the season, Fulwiley has been averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 22.3 minutes of playtime. But her willingness to improve and relentless drive to make things work make her “such a good teammate to teach and to learn from”, according to Johnson.

The LSU No. 4 also highlighted FulWiley’s ‘short-term memory’ that allows her to move past mistakes and try again confidently. While this is a great teaching for Johnson, Lay also holds the former one in high regard.

MiLaysia Fulwiley Praised Flau’Jae Johnson

Fulwiley knows what it is like to play against Johnson, thanks to her South Carolina tenure in 2023-2025. Averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, Johnson’s contribution to the team is her energy and scoring prowess, and Lay has begun to get it now.

“She's tough. I remember her being tough and her having that grit, that motor just to go”, she said. “She doesn't give up. It's inspiring. It makes everybody else play harder. Being on the same team now, I can see why they have that energy because it starts with her. She's the factor; she makes us go.”

"When she's running well and scoring like that, it makes our job easier, actually”, added FulWiley. “We're proud of her because she puts a lot of work in. When she thrives, it makes me happy. I'm blessed to be on the same side as her."

Now that’s a team, learning from each other and teaching a thing or two as the competition gets tougher. The Tigers will face the Gamecocks on March 8. How do you think that will turn out? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy