2 hours ago
LSU Athletics
RED STICK – Despite facing dual teams throughout the contest, LSU’s all-American Angel Reese led the Tigers into the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a record-breaking performance, 73-50, against top-seeded Hawai’i. no 14, Friday at the Maravich. Center.
Reese had his 29th double-double of the 2022-23 season with 34 points and 15 rebounds. She managed 13 of 20 goals and 8 of 12 free throws in 36 minutes.
The 34-point effort tied LSU’s single-game NCAA Tournament record, which was set by Marie Ferdinand at Purdue in 2001.
Hawai’i, which was limited to 30.8 percent shooting, finished its season with an 18-15 record.
The Rainbow Wahine were able to contain the rest of the Tigers, holding those not named Reese to 14 of 42 shots. Flau’jae Johnson (10 points) Alexis Morris (6) finished below their season averages, while that LaDazhia Williams had nine points on 4-of-7 shooting.
Reese was dominant at both ends of the field, adding three interceptions and three blocked shots to the tally. She also moved to third on LSU’s single-season rebounds list (479) and tied for eighth on LSU’s single-season scoring list (735).
LSU finished 27 of 62 shooting (43.5%) including 1 of 14 three-pointers. The Tigers made 18 of 25 free throws, outshot Hawai’i (40-33) and scored 20 points on 21 turnovers.
After briefly trailing in the opening minutes, LSU stepped up their defensive pressure, resulting in a 12-0 run and a 16-5 lead with 43 seconds left in the first quarter. A pair of free throws from Johnson to close out the quarter gave the Tigers an 18-7 advantage, as LSU scored 10 points on eight first-quarter turnovers by the Rainbow Wahine.
Reese scored his 10th point with a layup at 9:14 of the second quarter, giving LSU a 20-9 advantage. Hawaii’s Meilani McBee had her 50th three-pointer of the season to bring the visitors to seven points, 29-22, with 3:06 left at halftime. LSU then scored the final six points of the period and secured its biggest lead in the first 20 minutes, 35-22.
With 13 points on turnovers, the Tigers overcame 1 of 9 three-pointers with 24 points in the paint before halftime. Hawai’i shot just 26.9 percent (7 of 26), as leading scorer Lily Wahinekapu led the way with four field goals and nine points.
A pair of Hawaiian three-pointers early in the third quarter kept the game tense. Meanwhile, Reese scored the Tigers’ first nine points of the half and gave LSU a 44-30 lead with 4:01 remaining. Despite both teams struggling on the field during the quarter, LSU increased their lead to 15, 48-33.
LSU starting goaltender and second-leading scorer Alexis Morris was 0 for 6 and scoreless for more than 31 minutes before scoring three straight fourth quarter goals to spark the Tigers’ offense with a 10-0 run and a 58 -35. advantage with 7:26 to play. Hawai’i was no closer than 18 in the closing minutes.
Third-seeded LSU (29-2) will host No. 6 seed Michigan on Sunday at the Maravich Center for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014.
The game time and television network for the second-round game are expected to be announced early Saturday. A limited number of tickets are available at www.LSUtix.net.