Just four games stand between the LSU women's basketball team and the start of their first Southeastern Conference contests this season. The No. 4 Tigers, with an impressive 11-0 record, boast the top scoring offense in the country, averaging 94.5 points per game, and a remarkable second-largest average rebounding margin of +17.8. Remarkably, only five Division I squads have held their opponents to a lower field-goal percentage than LSU, which has limited foes to just 32% shooting so far this season.

Chasing Leads in Crucial Games

In two crucial games before their Sunday matchup with UL (2 p.m., SEC Network+), the Tigers found themselves chasing a lead for most of the game. Against Washington and Stanford, LSU led for a mere three minutes out of the 80 regulation minutes played. To stay unbeaten, they needed grit, late-game heroics, and a bit of luck.

Winning Against the Odds

After a narrow victory over Washington on November 25, LSU coach Kim Mulkey said, "We're very lucky to have won the game. But you know what? You create your own luck." Last season, LSU had lost all five games in which they allowed an opponent to convert at least 44% of their shots. However, this season, they have already beaten two such teams. Against Washington, despite shooting just 33% from the field, their 27 offensive rebounds allowed them to attempt 76 field goals - 17 more than Washington - and finish with only one fewer make. Transfer guard Kailyn Gilbert's eight-point contribution from the bench was a crucial factor, as she rolled in the last-second layup to give the Tigers the win.

Overcoming Stanford's Defense

Against Stanford, LSU earned an advantage from beyond the arc. The Cardinal entered the game with the top 3-point percentage in the country, but the Tigers, who rank near the bottom in long-range attempts per game, hit one more 3-pointer than Stanford on five fewer attempts. Across Mulkey's four seasons at LSU, it was the first time they had taken at least 25 3s and just the fifth time they had made at least 10. The eighth 3-pointer from Gilbert sent the game to overtime, and the ninth and 10th from Mikaylah Williams helped the Tigers solve Stanford's tricky zone defense in the extra period.

Balancing Wins and Trails

LSU led for 33 minutes in their November 27 win over No. 22 North Carolina State, a decisive 17-point victory. But overall, they trailed for 80 of the 125 minutes they played across their three games against power-conference competition. In their last four nonconference games against UL, Seton Hall, Illinois-Chicago, and Albany, they will look to spend more time in the lead and continue their winning streak.