Angel Reese’s presence on LSU’s roster has been a game-changer for the team. They won their first-ever NCAA championship majorly because of Reese’s unapologetic and bold persona that penetrated through several big ifs, leading the team to reach the top. Climbing this mountain again this season, the Tigers are ranking at #2 in the SEC with 24 wins and 4 losses. But with a sudden ankle twist in the equation now, will Angel be returning for the SEC Tournament?
Last season, in a matchup against Michigan, the unstoppable Angel pulled off a double-double by scoring 25 points and grabbing 24 rebounds. Moreover, in their previous face-off with Auburn, Bayou Barbie carried the team to a 71-66 victory by registering her 17th double-double of the season with 25 points and 20 rebounds. All was going good for Angel squad till a new twist.
The pivotal ankle twist
In a recent matchup between LSU and Auburn, Kim Mulkey’s Lady Tigers ruled the court from end to end. They were fiercely moving, seeping off threes like a cakewalk, not letting their opponents break through the symphony. They won over Auburn with a 78-48 score.
Moving like a quick cat, Angel Reese kept dunking back-to-back with the leading scorer of the game Flau’jae Johnson registering a team-high 25 points, along with 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Similarly, Hailey Van Lith was unstoppable with her crossovers and jaw-dropping 3-pointers, scoring 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, leaving Auburn Tigers in a haze. Reese, with her visible swift moves, scored another double-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Unfortunately, Reese hurt her right ankle in the 4th quarter while receiving a pass from her teammate. However, the Baltimore Blood refused to back down in the next as she said in a quick post-game interview, “I’m feeling good. It’s okay, I mean, I roll my ankle all the time, so it’s fine all right,” while assuring to play tomorrow, “oh, for sure, I’m from Baltimore that’s what we do, I’m, I’m good.”
She talked about the message the team aimed to deliver with their performance, as LSU has locked horns with Auburn three times including today’s game, “I mean playing three times is hard because everybody knows each other’s plays but I think we came out. We punched first we executed the last game back at home we turned a ball over way too many times so focusing on that and of course a key score honesty stopping her not having her score the first half was key.”
Having Last-Tear Poa set on defense, the Tigers thrived as coach Kim Mulkey is reserving Williams for the SEC Tournament. Poa added 14 points to the team score and made a significant impact on the game. “I mean being able to step in when Mikaylah is not in I mean Poa has been always poised she takes whatever role she does so being able to have her step up in a big moment is great for her and her confidence,” said Reese on Poa’s stellar display of determination.
Angel has recorded 20 double-double performances, adding up to 54 double-doubles in her time at LSU. Last season, she started with 23 double-doubles and broke Sylvia Fowles’ LSU record for most consecutive double-doubles. Also, she set an SEC record while pursuing that feat.
Bayou Barbie is the 6th LSU women’s basketball player to reach 2000 career points. She is in a true sense, the driving force behind LSU’s strength in their journey to achieve victory.
Keeping her team locked in for victory, let’s focus on Angel Reese and how she has been an inspiration for her teammates.
Angel Reese – the SEC Player of the Year
This week Reese met with a pleasant surprise as she was named the SEC Player of the Year. She is already a part of the All-SEC First Team and the SEC All-Defensive Team. Presently, Reese is leading her team and the SEC conference with a double-double score of 19.1 points and 13 rebounds per game. With this feat, she is the second player to lead the conference in both categories for multiple seasons.
