LSU Women's Basketball Dominates Jacksonville in NCAA Tournament Opener

Tigers advance to second round after 116-58 victory

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:36am

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The No. 2 seed LSU women's basketball team defeated No. 15 Jacksonville, 116-58, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday evening. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, outscoring the Dolphins 52-22 in the second half to secure a 58-point victory.

Why it matters

LSU's dominant performance showcases the team's offensive firepower and defensive intensity as they make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The win also marks a historic moment for head coach Kim Mulkey, who continues to build the Tigers' program into a national powerhouse.

The details

LSU shot an impressive 63.6% from the field in the second half, led by Flau'Jae Johnson's 20 points. The Tigers also outrebounded Jacksonville 26-10 and scored 17 points off turnovers. The Dolphins were led by Carmaya Bowman's 14 points, but were unable to mount a sustained comeback against the dominant LSU squad.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026 inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • LSU will face the winner of the Texas Tech-Villanova game in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on Sunday, March 22nd.

The players

Kim Mulkey

Head coach of the LSU women's basketball team, leading the Tigers to a dominant victory in the NCAA Tournament opener.

Flau'Jae Johnson

LSU guard who led the team in scoring with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

Carmaya Bowman

Jacksonville forward who scored a team-high 14 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“This game showcases the depth and talent of our team as we continue our journey in the NCAA Tournament.”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Women's Basketball

What’s next

LSU will face the winner of the Texas Tech-Villanova game in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on Sunday, March 22nd. The game will be played inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the tip-off time to be announced after Friday's games conclude.

The takeaway

LSU's dominant performance in the NCAA Tournament opener demonstrates the team's ability to overwhelm opponents with their offensive firepower and defensive intensity. As the Tigers advance to the second round, they will look to continue their strong play and make a deep run in the tournament under the leadership of head coach Kim Mulkey.