LSU WBB advances to national championship with 79-72 win over Virginia Tech
LSU headed to the fourth quarter squarely facing a nine-point deficit in the face. The Tigers were puzzled against Virginia Tech’s zone, but also coming off of a third quarter where the Hokies scored 25 points and went 8-of-15 from the field.
The margin for error grew smaller with each passing minute while an uber-experienced Virginia Tech team seemingly was growing stronger.
On their last leg, LSU made one final push to a championship – and it wasn’t subtle. The Tigers opened the quarter on a 7-0 run, immediately kicking the door down. Virginia Tech needed a response, but it was too late. LSU’s defense had arrived.
The Tigers suffocated one of the best offenses in the country, while also establishing dominance in the paint and on the glass. Through seven minutes in the final frame, LSU had outscored Virginia Tech 22-3, turning a nine-point deficit into a 10-point lead.
LSU defeated Virginia Tech 79-72 on Friday night in Dallas, advancing to the program’s first national title game on Sunday.
The run epitomized everything this team has relied on all season, and now the Tigers are playing for the trophy in Kim Mulkey’s second season at LSU.
Back and forth battle
Despite LSU’s chances looking dire in the second half, it was the Tigers who threw the first punch, jumping out to a nine-point lead in the second quarter as the offense was flowing as fluidly as it had all season. Then Virginia Tech went zone and everything flipped. The Hokies closed the half on an 11-0 run and carried that momentum into the third quarter, effectively seizing control of the game.
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The duo of Alexis Morris and Angel Reese were at the heart of everything the Tigers did. Morris ended the game with 27 points and two assists on 11-of-27 shooting, while Reese totaled 24 points and 12 rebounds on 11-of-19 shooting in the win. The comeback started with those two’s will to win as they set the tone.
The rebounding was another shift in favor of LSU late. The Hokies were out rebounding the Tigers 25-14 through three quarters, but LSU won the rebounding battle 22-13 in the final quarter, including 10 offensive rebounds.
Freshman Flau’Jae Johnson had a rough game, but showed up when it mattered most on both ends. Johnson had a crucial steal and score early in the quarter and a putback to extend the lead to six during the run.
LSU held Virginia Tech star point guard Georgia Amoore to 17 points on just 4-of-17 shooting. Alexis Morris had the primary task of slowing her down and was incredibly effective both on and off the ball with her defense.
Now, the Tigers await the winner of South Carolina and Iowa. In Mulkey’s second season at LSU, she has the Tigers competing for a national title.
