In a thrilling contest on Thursday, No. 7 LSU managed to topple No. 13 Oklahoma 107-100 in an intense bout that was marked by high-scoring plays and heightened emotions. During this SEC battle, an impressive tally of 53 personal fouls, five technical fouls, and two player ejections underscored the intensity on the court. The crowd witnessed a spectacular offensive display from both sides, and the match felt equally intense physically and emotionally.

The first quarter saw early fireworks with the ejection of LSU forward Sa’Myah Smith and Oklahoma forward Liz Scott. This was a result of a skirmish following Smith’s push that sent Sooner center Beatrice Culliton to the floor and Scott’s retaliatory shove to Smith. This clash set the tone for what became a fiercely competitive game.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey expressed surprise at Smith’s actions, acknowledging how it impacted the team’s development. Mulkey herself was caught up in the game’s fervor, receiving a technical foul alongside Oklahoma’s head coach Jennie Baranczyk in the heat of the moment. Mulkey emphasized the importance of composure, a sentiment echoed by her statement referencing her mentor Leon Barmore’s advice about maintaining a cool head during intense games.

Offensive brilliance was also on display as both teams made history in the SEC by scoring over 100 points each in regulation for the first time. LSU’s sophomore sensation Mikaylah Williams stood out with a season-high 37 points, becoming instrumental in sealing the game for the Tigers after nearly conceding a significant lead. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow contributed 25 and 21 points respectively, with Oklahoma’s Payton Verhulst leading her team with 26 points.

Despite Oklahoma’s valiant efforts, their 4-4 record in SEC play reflects the conference’s competitive nature rather than any fault of their own. The Sooners will have another chance to demonstrate their prowess as they prepare to host No. 12 Kentucky in a much-anticipated matchup.

Looking ahead, NCAA fans can look forward to a weekend celebrating women’s basketball, with jersey retirements for WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark. South Carolina and Iowa will honor these remarkable alumni during games against Auburn and USC, respectively, highlighting the impactful careers both have had in the world of basketball.

This weekend’s basketball action promises to be equally invigorating, with live broadcasts scheduled for South Carolina vs. Auburn and Iowa vs. USC. Fans can catch Kentucky’s visit to Oklahoma on SECN as the teams clash at 4 PM ET, continuing a week of remarkable basketball performances.