SPOKANE, Wash. — LSU’s dynamic performance in the closing minutes propelled them to a thrilling 80-73 victory over N.C. State in the women’s NCAA Tournament regional semifinal on Friday. Led by Aneesah Morrow’s dominant 30-point, 19-rebound outing, the third-seeded Tigers clawed back from a late deficit to secure their spot in the Elite Eight.
With just over four minutes left, LSU trailed 69-64 before mounting a decisive comeback. Freshman Mikaylah Williams, who scored 10 points in the final quarter, played a crucial role. Her go-ahead layup with 1:07 remaining, following a critical block by Kailyn Gilbert on N.C. State’s Zoe Brooks, gave LSU a 74-73 lead. The Tigers closed the game on a 10-0 run, shutting down the second-seeded Wolfpack.
The victory marks LSU’s third consecutive trip to the Elite Eight under head coach Kim Mulkey, who previously led Baylor to three national championships. Mulkey’s squad will face either top-seeded UCLA or No. 5 Mississippi on Sunday for a chance to advance to the Final Four.
“I’d rather not have these nail-biters,” Mulkey admitted. “But at this level, every team is talented. You have to fight for every possession.”
Sa’Myah Smith contributed a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Williams finished with 17 points and eight boards. For N.C. State, Brooks led with 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to push the Wolfpack to their second straight Final Four appearance.
“We had the same issue we did back in November,” N.C. State head coach Wes Moore said. “They dominated the boards, and Morrow was relentless. We struggled to contain her.”
The game saw multiple momentum swings, including seven lead changes and four ties. LSU started strong, opening with a 21-10 first-quarter advantage. However, N.C. State stormed back to take a 40-36 lead at halftime. Morrow continued to assert her presence in the third quarter, scoring 11 points and helping LSU reclaim the lead at 57-53 heading into the final period.
The Wolfpack surged ahead with an 8-1 run to start the fourth, holding LSU without a field goal until Morrow broke the drought with a layup. That basket sparked the Tigers’ late push to victory.
“Nobody wants to lose,” Morrow said. “I reminded my teammates in the huddle that we had to take our matchups personally and step up defensively.”
Morrow’s Historic Double-Double
Morrow, the nation’s leading rebounder, recorded her 30th double-double of the season. Her dominance on the glass fueled LSU’s overwhelming 52-36 rebounding advantage, including an 18-10 edge in offensive boards. The 6-foot-1 forward is one of only two women in NCAA history with over 100 career double-doubles and remains the only player this season with more than 600 points and 450 rebounds.
Flau’Jae Johnson’s Tough Night
Tigers standout Flau’Jae Johnson struggled offensively, managing just three points on 1-of-8 shooting. Her night took a turn when she fell hard while chasing a loose ball, staying down for an extended period before being escorted to the bench. Though Mulkey initially planned to send her back in, the coach ultimately decided against it after a brief sideline conversation.
With their eyes set on another deep tournament run, LSU will now prepare for a high-stakes showdown in the Elite Eight, aiming to continue their march toward another national title.
