Despite the pile of storylines and growing aggravation from coach Kim Mulkey surrounding LSU women's basketball the past few weeks, it seemed the team wasn't about to waste Angel Reese's return.

The LSU star's first game since Nov. 14 played a mere backdrop to the Tigers' undeniable handling of No. 9 Virginia Tech, 82-64, inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday night as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge and the rematch from last season's Final Four.

Mulkey's defense held the Hokies (5-2), stacked with offensive firepower with Georgia Amoore and Elizabeth Kitley, to 34 points in the final three quarters. LSU (8-1) dominated the boards after the first quarter, outrebounded Virginia Tech 43-29 which it used to score 17 second-chance points led by Reese and Aneesah Morrow.

Angel Reese earns start in first game back with LSU women's basketball; honored for 1,000 career rebounds before game

After Kim revealed Wednesday that Reese had rejoined the team, the next question was if she would start the star player.

The junior forward did resume her starting role for the Tigers, almost certainly to counter Virginia Tech's size with 6-foot-6 forward Elizabeth Kitley. She was honored prior to tipoff for recording her 1,000th career rebound earlier this season. Reese and Mulkey shared an embrace during the quick ceremony.

It didn't take long for Reese to get her groove back. She got her first rebound on LSU's second possession and scored the team's first point from the free throw line. She had four points and five rebounds by the end of the first.

Reese got more in a rhythm in the second half, finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds in her first action in four games.

'DON'T ATTACK AND MAKE IT PERSONAL' 'Don't attack and make it personal': Mulkey reacts to questions about Angel Reese's status

SA'MYAH SMITH OUT FOR SEASON LSU women's basketball sophomore forward Sa'Myah Smith out for season with knee injury

Aneesah Morrow stays hot for Tigers against Virginia Tech

Morrow was the leader of LSU offensively in the two wins down in the Cayman Islands.

She stayed hot on that end of the floor against a much tougher team in the Hokies. She earned and took the most shot attempts for the Tigers. She had 11 points by halftime along with a team-leading nine boards.

Morrow ended with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Georgia Amoore, Hokies dominated first quarter. Then it was all LSU, led by MiKaylah Williams

Virginia Tech came out swinging, putting up 20 points in the first points. It's two stars fueled the early hot offense with senior guard Amoore scored seven points on 3-of-7 shooting out the gate.

Kitley had six first-quarter points and had five rebounds.

Then LSU stopped turning over the ball, rebounded better and cleaned up its defense. That was all it needed. The Tigers grasped firm control in the second quarter and didn't look back.

Freshman MiKaylah Williams turned on the scoring after a slow start and finished with a team-high 20 points.

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: Angel Reese returns as LSU women's basketball beats Virginia Tech