BATON ROUGE — Two exhibitions. Two blowouts.

LSU women's basketball put a bow on its preseason Thursday, Oct. 29 as it routed Loyola-New Orleans 119-54 inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Senior guard Mikaylah Williams led the way for the Tigers with 23 points, including going 5 for 6 from 3-point land, and sophomore ZaKiyah Johnson pitched in 22 points along with nine rebounds.

The big win was the second this preseason against an NAIA school for the Tigers. LSU defeated North Texas-Dallas, 159-31 last week.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey's team was no closer to full strength against Loyola-New Orleans. Spaniard Noa Morro was still out as she makes her way back from offseason shin surgery for a stress fracture, and reserve post player Meghan Yarnevich was in concussion protocol following a recent car accident.

Here are three thoughts coming out of LSU's final exhibition before it opens up the regular season versus Southeastern Louisiana on Monday, Nov. 2.

First look at Anna Minaeva

After missing the team's first exhibition with a quad issue, LSU's new post player Anna Minaeva made her debut in purple and gold.

The 17-year-old Russian forward entered the game late in the first quarter and snagged a rebound before the period ended. Minaeva was active on both ends of the floor and posted her defender up every trip she was in the game. LSU's wings looked her way offensively as her 6-foot-5 frame allowed her to get good position against the Loyola defenders.

While Minaeva showed off some nice footwork and post moves, the free-throw line is where she needs the most work; shooting 4 for 10. Minaeva played 17 minutes in her debut and had 10 points and five rebounds.

Kim Mulkey will likely favor small lineup early

After LSU's first exhibition, Mulkey said the smaller lineup she featured that night gave her the most experience on the floor.

The starting lineup of Williams, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Johnson, Grace Knox and Jada Williams provides this LSU team with its best chance at success, especially in the early going of the 2026-27 season.

In addition to the experience, the smaller lineup can also play more full press and apply more defensive pressure on opponents.

LSU women's basketball's defense going to be equalizer

When LSU is running with a small lineup against the UConn, South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentuckys of the world, one way it could make up for a lack of size is with its activity, length and hands on defense. Through the two exhibitions, LSU has tallied 58 steals.

Fulwiley has always had quick hands and an ability to swipe the ball, but now LSU has complementary pieces, including 6-foot senior Laila Reynolds, who could pick up an opposing team's best player with her length. Mikaylah Williams has gotten better defensively and her conditioning appears to be allowing her to play tighter defense for longer intervals.

As long as it can communicate efficiently, LSU possesses the pieces to keep teams uncomfortable.