LAS VEGAS (AP) — Defending national champion and No. 1 LSU lost to No. 20 Colorado 92-78 on Monday night in the Hall of Fame Series.
It’s the first time that the top team in the AP poll lost its opener since the 1995-96 season when UConn fell to Louisiana Tech according to ESPN. The Huskies were defending national champions that year and that game also marked the first time that the previous season’s NCAA title winners lost its first game.
Frida Formann scored 27 points and Aaronette Vonleh added 24 to lead Colorado. Jaylyn Sherrod had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Buffaloes. Mikaylah Williams led LSU with 17 points, Angel Reese had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Sa’Myah Smith scored 16 points and noted Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith and had 14 points.
Colorado, which made the Sweet 16 last season for the first time since 2003, led most of the way in the convincing, statement-making victory. The Buffaloes, who shot 53%, led by as many as 22 points.
Other news
No. 4 UCLA routs Purdue 92-49 and Stanford transfer Lauren Betts scores career-high 20 points
Top-ranked LSU falls to Colorado 92-78
Caitlin Clark, Hannah Stuelke lead No. 3 Iowa past Fairleigh Dickinson in season opener
Former LSU star and Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal could only watch from his courtside seat. Also in attendance was Hall-of-Famer Grant Hill, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, former major-league veteran Dexter Fowler and members of the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
Tigers coach Kim Mulkey, known for her extravagant outfits, wore a Las Vegas-themed sequined pantsuit with playing cards, hearts and horseshoes.
LSU came out slow, missing four of its first five shots and committing three turnovers. But the Tigers appeared to finally find their game early in the second quarter in taking a 24-18 lead only to have Colorado going on a 14-1 run to go up seven points. The Buffalos led 38-32 at halftime.
BIG PICTURE
Colorado: The Buffaloes made Reese as uncomfortable as possible, getting physical with the Most Outstanding Player from last season’s Final Four. She finished with a double-double, but shot 6-of-15 and was in foul trouble in the second half.
LSU: The Tigers were handed an early message that repeating might not be so easy. This loss will get their attention better than anything Mulkey, a master motivator who has won seven national championships, could say to her players.
UP NEXT
Colorado: Hosts Le Moyne on Wednesday.
LSU: Hosts Queens on Thursday.
___
AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball