'It's just in me': LSU women's basketball star MiKaylah Williams has historic day v. Kent State

MiKaylah Williams has experienced the full spectrum of Kim Mulkey as her coach as of late.

And the long embrace for the sensational freshman from the LSU women's basketball coach as she received a curtain call inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center felt like a perfect punctuation for a historic performance.

Williams put up an eyebrow-raising 42 points in the No. 7 Tigers' 109-79 victory over Kent State, the most points scored by a freshman for LSU in the NCAA era and second-most all-time.

"It all starts in practice," Williams said after her career outing. "How you practice is how your play.

"Coach Mulkey has been riding me and riding me and staying on my tail about working hard and effort. So that in practice showed to the game today."

Mulkey has been in the coaching business for a while and has been witness to a number of spectacular individual performances. While no one could predict Williams dropping more than 40 points, Mulkey has known since she started recruiting Williams out of Parkway High School in Shreveport the kind of game she has.

Williams just hasn't realized it yet. And that's why Mulkey needs to push her budding star freshman.

"I've been riding her because I don't think she knows how good she is. You saw today what she's capable of doing," Mulkey said. "She's a special talent. I guess it's just those moments where you feel that rim is as big as the ocean.

"I want to be that coach that pushes her beyond the limits. I think you're just seeing her scratch the surface."

The hard practices have started to allow Williams, who was a consensus top-2 prospect in the country in the 2023 signing class, to feel more comfortable in games. Through four games, Williams has been the team's leading scorer twice and she's averaging 22 points per game. She's become LSU's first option on offense as a freshman.

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Most points Williams ever scored in a high school game was 34, she shared with reporters Tuesday.

"I work hard for putting out what I put out so I work hard. I applaud my teammates for finding the hot hand and helping me get to this success," she said.

"It makes me feel good to get MiKaylah a pass and see her score," LSU teammates Aneesah Morrow added after the game. "I get to see the work that MiKaylah puts in every day. It's a nonstop thing. She's very consistent and works hard every day. To see that pay off is amazing.

"Also coming in and being comfortable. Normally freshmen aren't comfortable. But when you put the work in, you'll always be ready."

Mulkey with her new staff at a different school, from Baylor to LSU, had to come into the Williams sweepstakes a little late. The longtime coach knew what she could mean for her program as well as Louisiana.

"We reminded her of what she could mean to this state. That was a big sign for us," Mulkey said.

Mulkey wouldn't share what she told Williams as she exited the floor after the special performance. But when it feels good, it's what you do, she said.

"You have to make sure you do that as well as moments when you're riding them or when they don't do good," Mulkey said.

As Williams kept pouring it in, she allowed her performance to wash over her. Her teammates pumped her up, dished her the ball and she filled it up.

Williams has worked for a performance like she had against Kent State but the work won't stop. Mulkey will continue to push her and as Williams put it, there's more games to takeover when needed.

"It's just in me."

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball's MiKaylah Williams has historic day v. Kent State