Angel Reese details what she did well in Auburn win

LSU survived a game at home against a pesky Auburn team that played well above its head on Thursday night in Baton Rouge, La. Forward Angel Reese was a big reason why.

Reese turned in a double-double with 25 points and 20 rebounds in the contest. More importantly, she was a steady presence for her teammates as a leader.

She explained, from an Xs and Os standpoint, where she really made a difference in the contest, much like the first one against the Tigers earlier this year.

“I think I dominated both games,” Angel Reese said. “I think tonight, just like I said, I had to help my teammates more defensively in stepping up and being there for them once they set the pick-and-roll. Just stepping up and helping with that guard and that screen until they got back on the screen.”

Her help there kept Auburn from getting more into the contest, and it was close enough as it was. The game finished 71-66 in favor of LSU.

Reese broke down her contributions beyond the pick-and-roll defensively.

“I think I did a great job just trying to keep the team together as well and lead,” Angel Reese said. “I don’t think last time I did a great job leading the team in the right way.”

Reese soaked up a season-high-tying 39 minutes in the contest, and LSU needed every one of them. Auburn was up to the task as it tried to take out the defending national champions.

“They hit some shots that were tough shots. They hit tough shots,” Reese sasid. “I mean, we guarded them as best as we could in the first half. Like I said, Flau’jae (Johnson) was guarding Honesty (Scott-Grayson) as best as she could, and I think we did a good job helping. Then coming into the second half I think we did a better job being able to do that. So I’m happy where we are right now. I think coming out second half we just took that accountability and being able to stop her.”

Coach Kim Mulkey praised Angel Reese’s leadership following the contest.

“Angel’s leadership can best be, maybe described is the word, but how hard you play in practice,” Mulkey said. “How hard do you play in practice as this last month kind of comes to a close for her career at LSU? Just play hard. And if she does that then the rest of them will play hard and they’ll play with a lot of confidence when she’s playing hard.”