Three contributors sat at the LSU women's first exhibition game | LSU

Redshirt sophomore forward Sa'Myah Smith also didn't see any action. But she wasn't hurt, Mulkey said. Her absence was a coach's decision.

Both Williams and Smith watched the game from the LSU bench, but reserve point guard Last-Tear Poa did not. Mulkey said she was inactive because she was “taking care of business from the ground.”

Mulkey did not say Thursday whether she expects Williams, Poa or Smith to miss the start of the regular season. But she said she believes this team, her fourth at LSU, could be one of the strongest squads she has had since moving to Baton Rouge. She just couldn't see it at full strength in the first exhibition game.

“I think so,” Mulkey said. “But injuries can change a lot of things and we played with nine tonight. That’s all I had available.”

These nine scholarship players still achieved a 114-53 victory. LSU started Flau'jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and three transfers: former Miami guard Shayeann Day-Wilson, former Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert and former Arkansas forward Jersey Wolfenbarger.

LSU didn't look rusty or out of sync. The transition offensive was sparked early. Its defense came away with 19 steals and allowed Xavier to shoot just 34% from the floor. Johnson scored a game-high 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Morrow added 19 points and 10 boards.

The absence of Williams, Smith and Poa allowed LSU to give its five newcomers additional minutes. In return, it received notable contributions from three of them.

Wolfenbarger added 12 points in her first live game appearance since March 26, 2023. Guard Jada Richard, a freshman from Lafayette, scored 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting. Sheppard, a 5-foot-10 guard, posted 12 points, six rebounds and six steals, a performance reminiscent of the one she put in against LSU last season. In that game on Jan. 29, the sophomore guard finished with 12 points, four boards and six steals.

“She just lets things happen,” Mulkey said.

“What you saw tonight is what we see every day from Mjracle. This evening is not just an exception. This is how the child plays. That's why we took her with us. She did that to us last year at Mississippi State.”

Mulkey also said center Aalyah Del Rosario isn't in game shape yet, as she was only allowed to start practicing about 10 days ago. During the offseason, the 6-6 sophomore underwent reconstruction of her ankle. And on Thursday, foul trouble limited her to just 18 minutes of play, which she used to score seven points and grab six rebounds.

Day-Wilson and Gilbert combined for 16 points on 7 of 15 shooting and had seven assists. Mulkey said she wanted them to defend the point of attack better, especially in the third quarter when Xavier outscored LSU 23-21.

“They can play better,” Mulkey said. “I thought (at the start of the third quarter) there were no sparks. There were no little mosquitoes out there worrying people with the ball. So I’m going to continue to challenge them not to get tired and be spark plugs for us, but they’re trying to learn the system.”

LSU next hosts LSU-Alexandria in its second and final exhibition game on Wednesday, October 30 at 7 p.m.

The 2024-2025 season begins November 4th when the No. 7 Tigers host Eastern Kentucky in their season opener.