NCAA Women March Madness Highlights: (3) LSU vs. (2) UCLA

Last weekend, amidst the roar of the LSU Tigers’ quest for back-to-back National Championships, their head coach, Kim Mulkey, found herself entangled in off-court drama. Just hours before their Sweet Sixteen matchup against UCLA, an unpublished Washington Post article critical of Mulkey, described by her as a “hit piece,” surfaced [1].

The profile piece, while not containing significant new information, reignited past controversies surrounding Mulkey. When asked for comment, Mulkey, with a characteristic smile, deflected the question, stating, “I haven’t read it, don’t know that I will read it. I’ll leave that up to my attorneys” [1].

However, the on-court performance of the Tigers spoke volumes. LSU secured a hard-fought victory against a determined UCLA team, advancing to the Elite Eight for the tenth time in program history.

The Tigers’ triumph was fueled by the dynamic duo of Angel Reese and Khayla Johnson. Reese, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, dominated the paint with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, adding four steals for good measure [2]. Johnson, averaging over 18 points in the last five games, provided a scoring punch, finishing with 24 points and a crucial block in the closing seconds [2].

The game was a seesaw battle throughout. LSU held a comfortable lead in the second quarter, but UCLA clawed their way back with a scorching 10-2 run, spearheaded by London Jones’ three-pointer [2]. However, the Reese-Johnson combination proved unstoppable. In the crucial fourth quarter, they combined for 12 points, including a clutch free throw by Johnson with under two minutes remaining, sealing the victory for the Tigers [2].

The final seconds saw some drama as Raegan Rees fouled out, drawing the ire of the LSU bench. Nevertheless, the defending champions prevailed, showcasing their resilience both on and off the court [2].

LSU’s victory sets the stage for a thrilling Elite Eight encounter. Coach Mulkey, while facing external challenges, will undoubtedly aim to keep her team focused on their ultimate goal: reclaiming the National Championship title.