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"It was personal." Flau'Jae Johnson elevates defense in win over Mississippi State

On3 imageby:Matthew Brune•about 10 hours•

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Flau'jae Johnson
(USA Today Network)

Flau’Jae Johnson remembers the last time LSU and Mississippi State met vividly. It was the Bulldogs that beat the Tigers 77-73 and afterwards, Mississippi State’s team had plenty to say. 

Jerkaila Jordan in particular talked about how motivated she was about beating LSU last year and what came with it, as a New Orleans native. Apparently, that spilled over into this year for Johnson, who had a different edge in this game, guarding Jordan from start to finish in LSU’s 81-67 win on Sunday afternoon in the PMAC.

“It was personal,” Johnson said. “After we lost last year, I took that to heart and then she went on Twitter saying I was “Lil Four” so I’ve been thinking about that since last year. I’m a competitor, so I didn’t care about how much I scored as long as I did what I did on defense and I had four blocks so, Big Four.”

LSU’s junior guard played 38 minutes, scoring 20 points, with four 3-pointers, five rebounds, and two assists, while holding Jerkaila Jordan to nine points on 2-of-12 shooting in 24 minutes on the other end. 

Johnson dominated the matchup and further stamped herself as one of the elite competitors and players in the SEC, while her team improved to 23-1 overall and 8-1 in SEC play.

“Well, listening to a scouting report and what to take away on straight line drives, and then, Flau’jae has length,” Coach Kim Mulkey said of Johnson’s defense against Jordan. “And then when you add the length, when she gets her hands up, doesn’t come down and foul, you’re going to have to make a shot against a taller player and she had four blocks. I didn’t know it was personal, that was funny, but I don’t care what it takes to motivate yourself. Jordan is a great player. She’s from Louisiana and I’m very familiar with her.”

In the press conference, Mulkey also poked fun at Johnson, saying how she only got five rebounds, suggesting she may have been tired from guarding Jordan. To which, Johnson replied “Nah I wasn’t tired, that was easy.” before leaving the podium.

In the SEC this year, Johnson has had plenty of battles and will have plenty more with four ranked teams still coming up for LSU before the postseason begins. As one of the contenders for player of the year, Johnson continues to look for any edge she can get and opposing coaches even rave about her performances.

“I just saw two elite players going at each other,” Purcell said. “It was highly competitive. Flau’Jae did a great job staying with her length as Jerk was getting to the rim and effecting her shots. Jerk being from this state wanted it bad but you have to tip your cap for the effort [Johnson] gave tonight.”

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