Flau'jae Johnson drops reaction for fellow LSU star after chaotic win

The No. 7 LSU Tigers narrowly defeated the Washington Huskies 68-67 in Monday's opener of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship. Flau'jae Johnson stood out for LSU, scoring 19 points and recording three crucial steals in the final 10 minutes, including one that proved decisive.

After the win, she credited teammate Sa’Myah Smith for her crucial contributions. Smith posted 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive glass.

Following the game, Johnson posted a picture of Smith on Instagram to show appreciation for her teammate. Smith recorded her first double-double of the season in the comeback win.

"15boards?!" Johnson captioned the story.

Flau'jae Johnson posts IG story of Sa'Myah Smith after LSU win vs Washington via @flaujae

Flau'jae Johnson shines in LSU's win vs Washington

Flau’jae Johnson was the standout player in LSU’s (7-0) 68-67 win over Washington (6-2) on Monday. LSU triumphed despite shooting a season-low 32.9% from the field and going 3-of-19 from 3-point range. The Tigers trailed the Huskies for nearly 35 minutes.

Johnson led the team with 19 points, including seven in the final quarter and contributed three steals. Aneesah Morrow also shined with 19 points and 13 rebounds, marking her 80th career double-double.

Morrow and Sa'Myah Smith combined for 17 of LSU’s 27 offensive rebounds, giving the Tigers a 26-10 advantage in second-chance points. In the final moments, Johnson saved the ball from going into the backcourt, leading to Kailyn Gilbert’s game-winning shot with 1.6 seconds left.

“That was not a clean possession where we could really get something and be settled,” Coach Kim Mulkey said (via louisianasports.net). “KG, loose ball on the floor, gets it with 6.1 seconds left and did what ballers do. You just duck your head and you go in there and make something happen.”

The Tigers will face the NC State Wolfpack on Wednesday.