Final Four Live Updates/Thread: LSU vs. Virginia Tech
Fourth Quarter
LSU has come alive here in the fourth on an 11-0 run, forcing turnover after turnover here. LSU leads 72-62 with 2:30 remaining.
A Flau'jae steal results in an easy lay-in on the other side of the floor and the Tigers retake the lead 64-62 with five minutes remaining.
Score Update: Virginia Tech 59, LSU 57
Angel Reese gets a basket on the next possession and the Tigers are back in this one after a quick 7-0 run.
Alexis Morris continues to handle business in this one going on a 5-0 run of her own to start the quarter. She's up to 22 points on the night, keeping the Tigers in this one singlehandedly.
End 3Q: Virginia Tech 59, LSU 50
Third Quarter
Difficult frame for the Tigers. Hokies outscore LSU 25-18 in the quarter and balloon their lead to nine heading into the fourth.
Virginia Tech comes into the third quarter shot out a cannon with three quick triples. It's a 17-11 run out the gate to start the quarter with the Hokies getting anything they want offensively.
Hokies knock down back-to-back baskets to boost their lead even more out of the half. It's a 16-0 run for Virginia Tech, but a LaDazhia Williams hook shot ends the run. Tigers trail 46-37.
End 2Q: Virginia Tech 34, LSU 32
Second Quarter
Virginia Tech ends the half on an 11-0 run after knocking down five straight baskets. For LSU, the Tigers are unable to score in the final four and a half minutes.
Virginia Tech comes out of the timeout in a zone defense which the Tigers have struggled against all season. Hokies go on a quick 8-0 run to cut the LSU lead to two with two minutes left in the half. Timeout Tigers.
The dynamic duo of Alexis Morris and Angel Reese continue putting on a show in this one. Reese up to 10 points with Morris adding 12 of her own, getting anything they want from inside. Timeout Virginia Tech with LSU leading 32-23.
Score Update: LSU 27, Virginia Tech 23
LSU continues to swarm Virginia Tech on defense, forcing nine Hokie turnovers already with six minutes remaining in the half.
It's a heavyweight battle in this one. The Hokies answer with back-to-back triples to cut the lead to 20-19. Georgia Amoore and Cayla King knock them down for the Hokies.
Tigers attacking the paint to start the second quarter. Angel Reese and LaDazhia Williams open the frame with back-to-back buckets inside.
End 1Q: LSU 16, Virginia Tech 13
First Quarter
Virginia Tech sharpshooter Georgia Amoore gets her first basket to fall after an 0-for-5 start. Tigers up three with 90 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Alexis Morris with six of LSU's 12 points in the first quarter, all coming inside the paint. A downhill guard, Morris is getting to the basket at ease early.
Score Update: LSU 10, Virginia Tech 6 - 4:14 remaining
Kim Mulkey with a quick sub after putting in freshman Sa'Myah Smith to help crash the glass. Tigers are getting beat inside early with the size of Kitley.
Virginia Tech already with three offensive rebounds in the first two minutes. Elizabeth Kitley gets the bucket and the foul to tie things up.
Angel Reese wins the tip and the Tigers score on the opening possession with a LaDazhia Williams put back.
Pregame
LSU's Starting Lineup
G: Alexis Morris
G: Flau'jae Johnson
G: Kateri Poole
F: LaDazhia Williams
F: Angel Reese
Virginia Tech's Starting Lineup
G: Georgia Amoore
G: Cayla King
G: Kayana Traylor
F: Taylor Soule
C: Elizabeth Kitley
Notes
- The top-rated transfer in the country last year, the Baltimore native Reese came to LSU after beginning her college career at Maryland. Teaming up with Coach Mulkey, she has taken her game to the next level and has put together a historic season filled with record-setting performances and multiple viral moments. Reese enters Friday’s game needing seven rebounds to set the LSU single season rebounding record and 12 for the SEC record. Five points would also move her into the top five on LSU’s single season scoring list.
- Other newcomers include Flau’jae Johnson, the SEC Freshman of the Year and rapping sensation, Kateri Poole, the transfer from Ohio State who has used her physical defensive play to move into the starting lineup throughout the tournament run and LaDazhia Williams, the soft-spoken glue piece starting in the opposite post from Reese. Last-Tear Poa has been a steady guard option coming off the bench and Sa’Myah Smith has been the third post in LSU’s rotation.
What They Said
Angel Reese: “I think coming to LSU I've gotten in way better shape and I've gotten much stronger,” Reese said. “Just being able to -- I think that's helped me a lot. I haven't been in foul trouble until these last few games all season. So just trying to stay together, and I think my teammates and coaches are putting me in a really good position where they give me the ball a lot. And whenever they miss a shot, I try to get the rebound as best I can.”
Kim Mulkey: “(Amoore) gets her teammates involved,” Coach Mulkey said. “They use Kitley in such a way where she's just not a back-to-the-basket big girl. She can face you up. She can put it on the floor. They push the ball extremely well in transition. You have to fan out and not get caught and sucked in into the paint.”
