Latest on Aneesah Morrow’s injury, status for Sunday vs. Kentucky

LSU rolled Georgia 79-63 on Thursday night, improving to 26-2 on the year and 11-2 on the year, and did so without Aneesah Morrow. The senior forward missed the first game of her career with a bruise on her foot, but was still on the sideline supporting her team.

“Nees has no structural damage, no hurt ligaments, no broken bones,” Mulkey said. “She got stepped on in the Texas game if you remember and she took herself out. She’s just sore and what better time to rest than tonight because the last three are tough as nails. For these two to have double doubles in her absence, it has to build their confidence.”

Morrow has been one of the top players in the SEC this year, averaging 17.8 points and 14.6 rebounds in conference play to go with 2.3 steals, further showing her activity level on both sides. She leads LSU in minutes as well at 36.3 in SEC games, hardly coming off the court.

Morrow is expected to be back in uniform for Sunday’s game at Kentucky, which is set to be a top 15 matchup on the road. After that, LSU goes to Alabama and hosts Ole Miss, which could be two more top 25 contests to end the regular season.

“It’s just the top of her foot,” Mulkey clarified. “They stepped on the top of her foot. Could she have played? Sure, but for Aneesah Morrow to do what she has to do, not just these next three games, but then the SEC Tournament where you could have to play three in a row. That girl has a tough body, but just rest it and let the bruise get better.”

Coming off of the Texas loss, there was ample urgency from LSU in the win, and Kim Mulkey’s team was able to dominate on the inside, even without Morrow.

Jersey Wolfenbarger ended with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks on 4-of-5 shooting, while Sa’Myah Smith has 11 points and 12 rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting. The two forwards played 25 and 34 minutes, respectively and held down the paint on both ends.

Both Smith and Wolfenbarger have been crucial for the Tigers at the center position this year and improved drastically as the year has gone on. Smith tore her ACL last year and Wolfenbarger sat out last season at Arkansas and transferred to LSU soon after. Both are now reaping the benefits of their hard work and playing under Mulkey.

“I think I’ve learned a lot from this program since I’ve been here and elevated my game in a lot of different ways,” Wolfenbarger said. “Knowing that Nees was out, there were a lot of us that needed to step up and contribute in ways we hadn’t before. That motivated my performance.”

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