LSU Tigers Climb to No. 5 in Latest AP Women’s Basketball Poll

The LSU Tigers women's basketball team moved up to No. 5 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, released this week. This comes after they beat Florida, Arkansas, and No. 21 Alabama in Southeastern Conference play. LSU now sits at 21-2 overall and 7-2 in the SEC, passing Vanderbilt, which dropped to No. 7 after a loss to Ole Miss.

Background

Women's college basketball rankings come out each week from the AP Top 25 poll. Voters include journalists from across the country who watch games and review records. This week's poll shows big changes in the middle, especially among SEC teams. LSU started the season strong but had early losses in conference play. They lost their first two SEC games but then won seven in a row leading into this poll.

The Tigers have scored 100 or more points 12 times this season. That breaks the SEC single-season record, which Alabama held with 10 in 1991-92. LSU's latest big win was a 103-63 victory over Alabama at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. They shot 56.1% from the field, made 10 three-pointers, and got 47 points from their bench.

The SEC has nine teams in the top 25 this week. That includes No. 3 South Carolina at 21-2, No. 4 Texas at 21-2, LSU at No. 5, Vanderbilt at No. 7, No. 11 Oklahoma, No. 13 Ole Miss, No. 16 Kentucky, No. 19 Tennessee, and No. 21 Alabama. Ole Miss made the biggest jump, up four spots to No. 13 after beating Vanderbilt. Duke, Texas Tech, and Alabama each moved up three spots.

LSU's rise puts them behind UConn at No. 1, South Carolina at No. 3, and Texas at No. 4. Louisville sits at No. 6 after moving up from No. 7. The Cardinals are 21-3 and undefeated at 11-0 in ACC play, tying their best start ever in conference.

Key Details

LSU's week started with a win over Florida, then they beat Arkansas, both non-ranked SEC foes. The highlight was Sunday's game against Alabama. Four players scored in double figures: sophomore Jada Richard with 16 points, junior Mikaylah Williams with 15, freshman ZaKiyah Johnson with 15, and junior MiLaysia Fulwiley with 10. Four others had eight or nine points each.

The game began tight. LSU led 21-15 after the first quarter. They pulled away in the second, ending the half on a 14-6 run to lead 49-29. Williams and ZaKiyah each had 11 and 10 points by halftime. LSU shot over 57% from the field in the first half and made five of eight threes.

In the third quarter, they outscored Alabama 23-14 to push the lead to 31. The fourth sealed the win at 103-63. LSU dominated rebounds, second-chance points, paint points, and fast breaks. Their bench outscored Alabama's 47-18.

Player Standouts

Jada Richard has been key for LSU. She runs the point, scores, and knows how to win. Coach Kim Mulkey praised her after the Alabama game.

"Jada Richard, she's our glue," Mulkey said. "She's our coach on the floor. She's got all the tools you need in a point guard. She knows how to win."

Mikaylah Williams added a steal and score at the halftime buzzer. Freshman ZaKiyah Johnson stepped up big. The team's depth shows in these games, with points spread across the roster.

Vanderbilt's loss to Ole Miss hurt their ranking. Ole Miss, now 18-4 and 5-2 in SEC, climbed four spots. That opened the door for LSU to move ahead. Other movers include Duke up three to somewhere in the top 10 mix, Texas Tech up three, and Alabama up three despite the loss to LSU.

LSU's record stands at 21-2. They have played tough SEC schedule so far. Early losses came against Kentucky and Vanderbilt, but the seven-game win streak rebuilt momentum.

What This Means

LSU's top-five spot strengthens their case for a high NCAA tournament seed come March. The SEC's depth with nine ranked teams means every game counts double. Wins over Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama add quality to their resume. The 100-point games show offensive fire power that few teams can match.

Next up for LSU is a road game at Texas on Thursday night at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Texas sits at No. 4 with the same 21-2 record. That matchup could shake the top five again. Louisville faces Duke on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, another game to watch in the top 10.

The poll reflects week 14 action. Teams like Ole Miss show upsets can flip rankings fast. Vanderbilt's drop from No. 5 to No. 7 highlights how one loss matters in a tight race. Michigan at No. 8, Tennessee at No. 19, and others fill out a competitive top 25.

For LSU, staying in the top five keeps national eyes on them. Their bench strength and scoring ability set them apart. Coach Mulkey's team has experience from past deep tournament runs. The road to the Final Four goes through the SEC this year, and LSU looks ready.

Ole Miss's climb adds to SEC story. They beat a top team in Vanderbilt, proving smaller jumps can lead to big gains. Duke and Texas Tech moving up three spots each signal conference play heating up everywhere. The bottom of the top 10 shuffled with LSU, Louisville, Vanderbilt, and Michigan all close in points.

This poll sets the stage for late-season battles. Teams jockey for positioning before conference tournaments. LSU's next win could lock them higher. Losses like Alabama's show how quickly standings change. Fans can expect more movement next week.