LSU Downs Virginia Tech to Claim First-Ever Trip to National Title Game

After a fourth-quarter outburst, the Tigers claimed their spot in the national championship game on Sunday.

Alexis Morris and Angel Reese made sure that LSU’s record-setting season would continue one more game, as the dynamic duo combined for 51 points to power the No. 3 Tigers to a 79—72 over No. 1 Virginia Tech on Friday night at American Airlines Arena.

In a game of massive runs, Morris finished with 27 points and two assists while Reese notched her 33rd double-double performance of the season, recording 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Tigers’ win.

LSU trailed 59–50 heading into the fourth quarter. However, a flurry of big shots and precise rebounding helped the Tigers outscore the Hokies, 29–13, in the final period. Reese and Morris combined to score 20 of the Tigers’ 29 fourth-quarter points.

However, Reese credited the Tigers’ defense as the key factor in LSU being able to pull out the win. LSU forced Virginia Tech to make 18 turnovers in the game and held the Hokies scoreless for a nearly six-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, ultimately limiting the ACC program to 40.4% shooting from the floor.

“We had to play defense and come together and believe in each other,” Reese told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.

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With limited scoring opportunities for Virginia Tech, Morris channeled her “Lex-Luthor” mode on offense, converting on timely buckets when the Tigers needed them most. 

“I know my team needed a spark and I had to trust in myself and my teammates and that’s why we are playing in the national championship on Sunday,” Morris told Rowe.

With the win, LSU punched its ticket to this year’s title game, allowing the program to play for a national championship for the first time in school history. The Tigers will play the winner of the Iowa and South Carolina matchup in the women’s national championship game at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.