LSU Tigers Suffer Shocking Loss to Colorado in Season Opener
The LSU Tigers were left stunned in their season opener after being upset by the Colorado Buffaloes with a final score of 92-78. Despite having a talent advantage, LSU was outplayed by the more experienced and cohesive Colorado team.
Head coach Kim Mulkey had expressed her concern before the game, acknowledging that Colorado would present a tough challenge. She anticipated encountering a well-oiled team that would potentially surprise her Tigers.
The game proved her expectations right as Colorado showcased their skills and emerged victorious. LSU struggled to contain Colorado’s star players, particularly Frida Formann, who scored a career-high 27 points. Formann’s impressive shooting performance, going 9 of 14 from the field and 7 of 10 from beyond the arc, proved to be too much for the Tigers to handle. Additionally, Aaronette Vonleh, a dominant forward, added 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while Jaylyn Sherrod contributed 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
On the offensive end, LSU failed to find their rhythm throughout the game. The Tigers only managed to assist on 12 of their 28 successful shots and committed a total of 18 turnovers. Their shooting accuracy was also subpar, with a field goal percentage of only 44%.
The stark contrast between the two teams became evident with their lineups. Colorado started four seniors and a junior, all of whom were returners from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last season. In contrast, LSU fielded a starting lineup consisting of two returners, two transfers, and a freshman.
LSU struggled right from the beginning, as their offense appeared out of sync in the first half. They committed nine turnovers, shot a disappointing 33% from the field, and failed to gain a rebounding advantage.
Despite briefly being buoyed by the contributions of Hailey Van Lith, who provided much-needed scoring, LSU couldn’t sustain momentum. Van Lith’s individual efforts weren’t enough to compensate for the overall team struggles. Furthermore, the Tigers heavily relied on Mikaylah Williams in the third quarter, but her eight points proved insufficient to match Colorado’s onslaught led by Formann’s exceptional shooting.
As the game progressed, Colorado expanded their lead to 20 points, taking advantage of LSU’s difficulties breaking through their 2-3 zone defense. LSU’s offensive struggles were compounded by the foul trouble faced by Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and Aneesah Morrow. The trio combined for just 24 points on 9-of-27 shooting.
LSU will now return home, where they will celebrate their previous year’s achievements, including receiving their championship rings and unveiling their 2023 national championship banner. They will then face Queens University of Charlotte in their home opener on Thursday. The real test for the Tigers will come on November 30th when they square off against Virginia Tech, a rematch of last year’s semifinal game.
The season opener against Colorado serves as a valuable learning experience for LSU. The loss highlights the importance of finding defensive solidity and offensive flow in the early stages of a season. With the talent and potential within their squad, the Tigers have the opportunity to bounce back from this setback and make waves in the upcoming games.
