 The LSU women's basketball team started play in 1975 as the "Ben-Gals," with coach Jinks Coleman.In just their second season of play, the team made it to the AIAW national championship game before losing to top-ranked Delta State, 68–55.Coleman stepped down in the middle of the 1978–1979 season and was replaced by Barbara Swanner, who in turn led the team for three and a half seasons.