LAS VEGAS – LSU women’s basketball post players Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow entered Las Vegas as stars. But it was Colorado’s Aaronette Vonleh who was the star of the season-opening show on the Strip.
LSU, which opened the season ranked No. 1 in both the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and the AP preseason Top 25, had no answer for the junior center inside. Vonleh’s efficiency in the post shrunk the Tigers’ defense, and Colorado’s outside shot came alive as the No. 18 Buffaloes stunned the reigning NCAA champions, 92-78 in the Hall of Fame Classic Monday night inside the T-Mobile Arena.
It’s the first time that the top team in the AP poll lost its opener since the 1995-96 season when Connecticut fell to Louisiana Tech, according to ESPN. The Huskies were defending champions that year, and that game also marked the first time that the previous season’s NCAA title winners lost the opener.
Frida Foreman hit seven 3’s en route to 27 points while Vonleh scored 24 with five boards. Jaylyn Sherrod added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Buffaloes.
Reese did record a double-double, 15 points and 12 rebounds, but she couldn’t take over the game like she did for the team countless times last season.
Colorado shot the lights out in Las Vegas on LSU women’s basketball
Because of Colorado’s ability inside, things opened up outside and it made LSU severely pay.
Led by Foremann’s seven triples, the Buffalos hit 10 3’s in a dominate shooting display.
Colorado, which made the Sweet 16 last season for the first time since 2003, led most of the way in the convincing, statement-making victory. The Buffaloes, who shot 53%, led by as many as 22 points.
LSU freshman MiKaylah Williams led LSU with 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting, but she only hit one 3-pointer. Sa’Myah Smith scored 16 points and noted Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith and had 14 points.
LSU let down by defensive miscommunication in first half, couldn’t get out of hole with foul trouble
Players talked about Colorado’s offensive push leading up to the game, but the execution of the scouting report was lacking in the first two periods.
Early on, the Buffs feasted off the pick-and-roll as LSU bigs were slow to roll off the screens. Colorado outscored LSU in the paint, 22 to 18 in the first half.
Once Mulkey got her squad cleaned up, its transition defense drooped and its on-ball defense at the guard position as well. LSU got turnovers but it had a hard time finishing and converting them into points. That led to plenty of foul trouble across the board for the Tigers as Flau’jae Johnson, Reese and Morrow each ended the game with four.
LSU’s early struggles on defense were a surprise as Mulkey’s teams usually sport a strong foundation in defensive stinginess. LSU closed within seven a couple of times but Colorado would stretch the lead back out.
Hailey Van Lith, Aneesah Morrow LSU debuts
Tale of two different debuts for LSU’s standout transfers.
Hailey Van Lith shined early, scoring 6 with four assists in the first quarter and was making plays on both ends of the floor. But as the game progressed, Van Lith faded a bit, managing 6 points the rest of the way. She’s still learning the point guard role but did some good things distributing the ball with five dishes.
Morrow found herself in foul trouble in the first half and spent extended minutes on the bench. Despite that, she struggled to hit shots both inside and outside. She finished with 6 points and four rebounds.
Kim Mulkey coached team drops rare season opener
During her long career, Kim Mulkey coached teams starting seasons 0-1 has been a rarity.
Mulkey hasn’t lost a season opener since 2009 to Tennessee. Her only other season-opening loss is to, oddly enough, LSU legend Seimone Augustus and company Mulkey’s Baylor team to open the 2004-05 team.
Mulkey, known for her extravagant outfits, wore a Las Vegas-themed sequined pantsuit with playing cards, hearts and horseshoes.
Former LSU star and Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal could only watch from his courtside seat. Also in attendance was Hall-of-Famer Grant Hill, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, former major-league veteran Dexter Fowler and members of the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
While the Tigers were handed an early message that repeating might not be so easy, this loss will get their attention better than anything Mulkey, a master motivator who has won seven national championships, could say to her players.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on X/Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.