Flau’Jae Johnson Reacts to NCAA Tournament Victory

The LSU Tigers kicked off March Madness with a 103-48 throttling of the San Diego State Aztecs. Flau’Jae led all scorers with 22 points in 22 minutes of playing time. Johnson, who was returning to action for the first time since injuring her ankle against Alabama in late February, was 9 of 15 shooting the basketball.

After the game, Flau’Jae was asked if it was simple for her to get back on the court after being sidelined for several weeks. She said, “It wasn't easy, but it was fun. The crowd, there was 9,000 people. I didn't know there was going to be that many people for a 9:00 o'clock game…our fans, they just do it for me. Our students came out. Shout-out to our students.

It wasn't easy, but I've been on that bike [recuperating]. That bike is real. That bike in Thomas is real. Just keeping my wind up, I feel like I was trying to push through some spurts because I know that's how you get in game shape. I feel like you can't get in basketball shape without playing in games. So this was just a good first outing for me. I was excited.”

Flau’Jae did admit to having some pre-game jitters before putting on a show for the home crowd. She said, “I was nervous today. I was talking to Coach Bob [Starkey]. I'm, like, I was looking good in practice, right? You know what I'm saying? Arms straight, you think?

So, I was nervous. I ain't going to lie. I'm always nervous before games. This time I was like I don't want to be the odd man out.

But as far as the [LSU NCAA Tournament points] record goes, I think it's cool. But it's like, we did that record against Caitlin Clark, you know what I'm saying? When we get tougher competition, it's going to feel a lot better to do things like that.

But for this team right here and the momentum we're building is big for us. It's big for the people that haven't been to the Elite Eight and the championship game.

So for me, my mind is always, like, hu-huh, you know what I'm saying? But I feel, like, for all of our players that never got to experience this, Lee Lee getting to slap LSU on the board. We set a record. It's beautiful and it's a dope part of the game to be able to make history, especially for LSU.”