It’s a new year, but for LSU women’s basketball, the winning ways just keep rolling. On January 1, 2026, the No. 5 LSU Tigers (14-0) tipped off their Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule at home against the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats (13-1) in a clash that had Baton Rouge buzzing. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center was the stage for this top-15 showdown, and fans could feel the electricity in the air long before the 7:00 p.m. CT tip-off.
Both teams entered this marquee matchup with impressive records and even more impressive stats. LSU had breezed through its nonconference schedule, racking up 14 straight wins and outscoring opponents by a staggering average of 55.4 points per game. Their offense was nothing short of explosive, posting 108.0 points per game—tops in the nation—while holding opponents to just 52.6 points, good for 12th best in college basketball. Kentucky, meanwhile, was riding a six-game winning streak, boasting a 13-1 record and a defense that had stifled opponents to just 50.2 points per contest, the third-best mark in the country.
This was more than just another SEC opener. The matchup was a collision of strengths: LSU’s high-octane offense versus Kentucky’s lock-down defense. The Tigers, under the ever-animated Kim Mulkey, were looking for their first signature win of the season against a ranked opponent. Kentucky, led by Kenny Brooks, had momentum on their side and a hunger to make a national statement.
Yet, for all the anticipation, many fans were left scrambling to find the game. Despite the stakes and the rankings, LSU vs. Kentucky was relegated to streaming only on SEC Network+ and ESPN+, with no traditional TV broadcast. Fans voiced their frustration, especially since other ESPN channels were busy airing multiple versions of the same college football playoff game or, in one case, even the Pillow Fighting World Championships. As one commentator put it, "That is 3 different ways to watch the same game on 4 channels. You telling me we need another SkyCast option on the SEC Network instead of a top 15 SEC women's basketball clash?"
For those who did tune in, the matchup promised fireworks. LSU’s depth was a story in itself. Seven players—Flau'jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, MiLaysia Fulwiley, ZaKiyah Johnson, Kate Koval, Grace Knox, and Amiya Joyner—were all averaging over 11 points per game. That’s a luxury few programs can claim. Fulwiley and Flau'jae Johnson were tied as the team’s top scorers at 15.1 points per contest, with Fulwiley also making her presence felt on defense by averaging four steals and a block per game. The Tigers’ bench was contributing nearly 50 points per game, and their field goal percentage of 54.8% was the best in the country.
ZaKiyah Johnson, a 6-foot guard from Shelbyville, Kentucky, was a particular point of intrigue. Once a coveted in-state recruit for the Wildcats, she chose LSU and was making a major impact, averaging 12 points and six rebounds on 64% shooting in just 18 minutes a night. Kentucky fans could only wonder what might have been, but on this night, Johnson was another weapon Mulkey could deploy against her former state’s flagship program.
Kate Koval, LSU’s sophomore forward, was coming off a dominant performance against Alabama State, where she posted 23 points and 11 rebounds, drawing nine fouls and notching her fifth double-double of the season. And let’s not forget Fulwiley, who had flirted with a triple-double in that same contest, tallying 11 assists and eight steals—matching her career high.
On the other side, Kentucky’s hopes rested in part on the shoulders of Clara Strack and Tonie Morgan. Strack was coming off a monster outing against Hofstra, where she dropped 24 points, grabbed 11 boards, and swatted seven shots. Kentucky was also lethal from beyond the arc, making 9.3 three-pointers per game (19th in the country), and their +437 scoring differential spoke to their ability to dominate on both ends.
The historical context added even more spice. LSU had won the last three meetings against Kentucky, holding a 38-18 edge in the all-time series and a 17-5 record at home. The last time Kentucky won at the PMAC was back in 2019. Mulkey and Brooks had faced off in each of the last three seasons, including memorable showdowns when Brooks was still at Virginia Tech. LSU had come out on top every time, including the 2023 Final Four and the 2023 ACC/SEC Challenge. Their most recent meeting in February 2025 saw LSU rally for a 65-58 win in Lexington.
LSU’s dominance wasn’t just in the win column. The Tigers led the nation in nine statistical categories, including bench points, field goal percentage, rebounds, and steals. Their 36 forced turnovers and 27 steals against Alabama State in the final nonconference game tied a program record and set the tone for their aggressive defensive approach.
Despite the game’s streaming-only status, diehard fans found ways to follow the action. The LSU Sports Radio Network provided live coverage, and SiriusXM carried broadcasts for both teams. For those planning ahead, both teams faced tough stretches in the coming weeks, with LSU set to face Vanderbilt, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma, while Kentucky prepared for matchups against Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida.
As for the odds, LSU entered as a heavy favorite, with bookmakers setting the spread at -13.5. But in a matchup like this, anything could happen. Kentucky’s defense was built to frustrate even the most prolific offenses, and if Strack and Morgan could get hot, the Wildcats had a puncher’s chance.
So, how did it all play out? At press time, the action was still unfolding in Baton Rouge. Both squads were battling for early SEC supremacy, with LSU’s depth and firepower clashing head-on with Kentucky’s grit and defensive prowess. Win or lose, this was the kind of showdown that makes college basketball special—and a clear reminder that women’s hoops deserves a bigger spotlight.
As the final buzzer approached, one thing was certain: whether you caught it on a stream, the radio, or in the stands, LSU vs. Kentucky was a game worthy of primetime. The SEC race is just heating up, and both teams have made it clear—they’re not backing down from any challenge this season.
