Angel Reese’s new home seems to suit her just fine. Better than fine.
The forward, who transferred after two successful seasons at Maryland, poured in a career-high 31 points and added 13 rebounds for a double-double in her debut with the LSU women’s basketball team.
She also helped LSU top Bellarmine 125-50 with an efficient 11-for-14 shooting performance. The 125 points set an LSU record.
Reese got her No. 16 Tigers off to a good start, scoring 12 of her squad’s first 19 points as they rushed out to a 14-point lead.
She didn’t play in the exhibition contests for LSU, so Monday was the first time Tigers fans got to see the 6-3 forward in an LSU jersey.
“I was really excited. I was confident going into the game,” Reese told reporters. “I let the game come to me. Of course I wanted to be out there (for the two exhibitions) but I was cheering on my teammates and seeing the game from a different aspect was something that was important to me. Getting out there tonight was exciting.”
A Debut to Remember @Reese10Angel hits a career high 31 points scored, breaking her previous record of 26 pic.twitter.com/hCiURFys4z— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) November 8, 2022
A Debut to Remember @Reese10Angel hits a career high 31 points scored, breaking her previous record of 26 pic.twitter.com/hCiURFys4z
Reese, who averaged 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season for Maryland, was praised by LSU coach Kim Mulkey following the contest.
“I’ve told everyone I can, she’s a beast on the boards,” Mulkey told reporters. “She didn’t miss many shots. I needed to see post touches tonight, see how good we can be in the post. Can they score for us?
“I see it everyday (from Reese).”