The LSU women’s basketball team is headed back to the Elite Eight after a dramatic March Madness showdown against NC State, securing an 80-73 victory in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinal on Friday.
Aneesah Morrow Leads LSU to the Elite Eight
Aneesah Morrow delivered a standout performance, dominating with 30 points and 19 rebounds to propel LSU (31-5) past No. 2 seed NC State. Morrow’s efforts on the boards helped the Tigers out-rebound NC State 52-36, a key factor in securing the win.
With LSU trailing 69-64 with just over four minutes left, Mikaylah Williams stepped up, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter. Kailyn Gilbert made a crucial defensive play, blocking Zoe Brooks’ layup attempt and setting up Williams’ go-ahead score with just over a minute left, sparking a game-closing 10-0 run.
LSU Advances to Third Consecutive Elite Eight
The victory sends Kim Mulkey’s Tigers to the Elite Eight for the third straight year, keeping their hopes alive for another NCAA national championship. LSU, the 2023 defending champions, will now face either No. 1 seed UCLA or No. 5 seed Ole Miss on Sunday.
“This team fights until the very end,” said Coach Kim Mulkey, who is seeking her fifth national title. “We’ve been in close games all season, and tonight showed our resilience.”
Key Performances: LSU vs. NC State
- Sa’Myah Smith: 21 points, 11 rebounds
- Mikaylah Williams: 17 points, 8 rebounds
- Aneesah Morrow: 30 points, 19 rebounds (30th double-double this season)
- Flau’Jae Johnson: 3 points, left the game after injury scare
- Zoe Brooks (NC State): 21 points
NC State Falls Short of Final Four Return
The NC State Wolfpack (28-7) were aiming for a second consecutive Final Four appearance but struggled with LSU’s dominance in the paint. Coach Wes Moore acknowledged his team’s rebounding struggles, stating, “We knew Morrow was going to be tough to stop, and we just couldn’t keep her off the boards.”
Flau’Jae Johnson Injury Update
LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson suffered a hard fall while chasing a loose ball and was removed from the game in the final minutes. Initially cleared to return, she was held out after reporting vision issues. Coach Mulkey expects her to be “good to go” for Sunday’s game.
What’s Next for LSU in the NCAA Tournament?
The LSU Tigers will now prepare for an intense Elite Eight matchup against UCLA or Ole Miss, with a Final Four berth on the line. As the defending champions, LSU remains one of the top contenders in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament.
With Aneesah Morrow, Mikaylah Williams, and Coach Kim Mulkey leading the charge, LSU’s quest for back-to-back national titles continues.