Angel Reese details LSU's national championship victory

The LSU Tigers have won it all, securing their first women’s national championship in school history Sunday after defeating Iowa 102-85. Offense came easy for the Tigers Sunday, setting the record for points in a Women’s Final Four game with their win. But the road wasn’t always easy for LSU, as senior leader Angel Reese detailed exactly what it took to for the Tigers to reach championship glory following their win.

“Breathe and believe, that’s all we did all year,” Reese said. “Just take a deep breath and keep believing in each other. Nobody thought we were going to be here, nobody. As long as we believe in each other, I don’t even know what to say right now, I’m just so happy.”

Reese may have been speechless after the game, but her play spoke for itself. Reese ended the night with 15 points and 10 rebounds, marking her 34th double-double which set a women’s Division I record. She earned the Most Outstanding Player for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, averaging 23.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game throughout the tournament. But her first quarter in the championship game started off with two early fouls that limited her minutes early.

“It’s no one-man show around here, when I go down the next man is up. Every time I go out or Alexis (Morris) goes out, everybody always comes to step up and steps up. Sa’Myah (Smith) came in as a freshman, everybody, Jasmine Carson are you telling me 21 points in first half?” Reese asked with excitement. “That’s what we needed from her and I’m super excited and happy for this team.”

Carson had an unreal performance for the Tigers after being held scoreless in their previous three games of the NCAA Tournament. She snapped her scoring draught by making it rain threes, making all five of her three-point attempts in the first two quarters and scoring 21 of her 22 points in the first half.

Morris helped lead and set the tone for an outstanding offensive performance for LSU, as they ended the night shooting 54.3% from the field and 64.7% from behind the arc. Superb shooting may have been the answer in the national title game for the Tigers, but according to Reese, accountability is what’s been carrying them all season long.

“My teammates take constructive criticism. I get on them, they get on me and it’s all positive and we know we’re just trying to get each other better. So this team is just amazing, we built each other up from the summertime and I’m so happy,” Reese said.