ALBANY — Kim Mulkey left the Sweet 16 unscathed.
Hours after the much-anticipated publication of the Washington Post’s profile on the controversial LSU coach (whom he previously called a “hit piece”), the defending champion Tigers defeated second-place UCLA by 78 He defeated him with a score of -69 and continued to retain his title. Saturday at MVP Arena, setting up a potential title game rematch with Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite Eight.
No. 3 LSU (31-5), which had not advanced to the Final Four for 15 years until last year’s breakthrough, is now three wins away from winning its first consecutive title in seven years.
LSU’s star forward, Angel Reese, was kept quiet early by being outplayed physically by 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts (14 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks) in the paint.
However, the Bruins did what LSU wanted by neglecting to make the big touch and settling it with 3 seconds to play.
UCLA’s advantage in the paint disappeared after hitting just 1 of its first 16 3-pointers.
Although Reese (16 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals) ultimately found success, LSU was led by the two-way talent of Frauge Johnson (24 points, 12 rebounds) and led the Tigers by 10 points late in the first half. .
However, the Bruins fought back and took the lead, thanks to a decisive advantage on the glass, backup Gabriela Jaquez’s scoring (14 points), and Londyn Jones’ three consecutive 3-pointers late in the third quarter. He led the Bruins (27-). 7) Back to front.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the score was even at 48 points. Momentum gained as the power program began exchanging baskets and turnovers and fans began exchanging conflicting alphabet chants.
The back-and-forth game saw 13 lead changes and eight ties.
Reese headed to the final line with 1:46 left to put the Tigers up by one point.
Then, after Johnson’s block and two successful free throws, she swallowed him in a bear hug.
Betts couldn’t match that, going just 1-of-2 on his next possession, then blocking Reese, but couldn’t do the same against a swooping Johnson, and with about 11 minutes of game time, LSU gave them the lead on their first two possessions.
