Flau’jae Johnson, the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year, led the defending national champion LSU Tigers to a 78-69 victory over the second-seeded UCLA Bruins in the Sweet 16 with a team-best 24 points. Angel Reese also contributed with 16 points and 11 rebounds for her 26th double-double of the season. LSU trailed by three points late in the fourth quarter but finished the game on a 14-2 run to secure the win. The Tigers will now face the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, a rematch of last season’s national championship game.
LSU held a seven-point lead at halftime, but the Bruins made a comeback by hitting four of their next five 3-point attempts after starting just 2-of-20 from beyond the arc. UCLA took the lead at 45-44 before the teams were tied at 48 going into the fourth quarter. Flau’jae Johnson had a strong first half with two 3-pointers and an 8-0 run that put LSU up 25-18. The Bruins struggled from distance until a late 3-pointer from Londynn Jones ended an 8-0 LSU run and cut the lead to 34-27 at halftime.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey brushed off a critical piece released ahead of the Sweet 16 profiling rifts in her career, stating that she had not read it. The Tigers are aiming to become the first team in NCAA Division I women’s basketball to win back-to-back national titles since the UConn Huskies accomplished the feat in 2016. UCLA, with 19 NCAA Tournament appearances and nine Sweet 16 appearances (including three in the last four years), has only advanced to the regional finals twice in their history.
The Associated Press contributed to the report, detailing LSU’s impressive performance in the Sweet 16 and their upcoming Elite Eight matchup against Iowa. Flau’jae Johnson’s standout performance, along with Angel Reese’s double-double, were crucial in securing the win for LSU. Despite UCLA’s comeback efforts in the second half, LSU was able to close out the game with a strong finish. The Tigers will now face Iowa in a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup, seeking to advance to the Final Four and defend their national championship title.
The game between LSU and UCLA was a highly competitive and exciting matchup that showcased the talents of both teams. Flau’jae Johnson’s offensive production and key plays throughout the game were instrumental in LSU’s victory. The Tigers overcame a late deficit to secure the win and advance to the Elite Eight for a second consecutive season. With the potential to make history by winning back-to-back national titles, LSU will look to continue their winning streak in the upcoming games and solidify their status as a top contender in women’s college basketball.
