With or without Angel Reese, LSU has to defend 3-point line against Texas Southern

The LSU women’s basketball team will host Texas Southern on Monday night, and for the second game in a row, the status of All-American forward Angel Reese is uncertain. 

Reese sat the entire second half of LSU’s Tuesday game against Kent State after playing 13 minutes in the first half. Then, she didn’t travel with the team to Hammond for its Friday night win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Kim Mulkey has declined to explain Reese’s absence three times, once on Tuesday after the Kent State game, then again on both Thursday and Friday, before and after the Southeastern game. 

On Sunday, when asked if Reese will play on Monday night, LSU spokesperson Grant Kauvar referred back to what Mulkey said after the Tigers beat Southeastern. 

“It’s very obvious Angel was not in uniform,” Mulkey said. “Angel is a part of this basketball team, and we hope to see her sooner rather than later. I’m not gonna answer any more. That’s it. That’s all y’all need to know.” 

Whether Reese plays or not, LSU will have to defend the 3-point line on Monday against Texas Southern. 

Through three games, the Tigers from Houston are attempting 25 3-pointers per game, one of the 50 highest rates in the country. Although they’ve connected on only 28% of those attempts, LSU’s opponents have so far hit 37.7% of their 3s. Only one Southeastern Conference team has fared worse.

Against LSU, Colorado shot 43.5% from the 3-point line. Kent State hit seven of its first 16 3-pointers, using a hot start to keep pace with the Tigers through the first two quarters. And Southeastern converted four of its first 8 attempts but cooled off in the second half as LSU pulled away.  

If Reese does not suit up, LSU will likely start transfer forward Aneesah Morrow in her place. Morrow started the Tigers’ season opener against Colorado, then came off the bench for their next three games and returned to the starting lineup against Southeastern. 

Morrow is averaging 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds through LSU’s first five games, while shooting 40.3% from the field.