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The LSU Tigers are the 2023 Women’s NCAA National Champions

By John Fye

Apr 2, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; The LSU Lady Tigers celebrate with the tournament trophy after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes during the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; The LSU Lady Tigers celebrate with the tournament trophy after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes during the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LSU Tigers are the 2023 Women’s College Basketball National Champions. On Sunday, Kim Mulkey’s squad brutalized the Iowa Hawkeyes in a high-scoring affair.

LSU’s 102-85 win over Iowa captures their first men’s or women’s basketball national championship. Also, the Tigers’ 102 points are a women’s NCAA championship game record.

Jasmine Carson was the story of the first half. The senior guard came off the LSU bench and started draining threes on nearly every possession. Carson went 5-for-6 from three-point land, finishing with 22 points in 22 minutes. Carson’s hot hand didn’t supplement the production of the LSU Tigers’ starting five; she added to it.

Senior guard Alexis Morris closed out her incredible women’s NCAA tournament run with 21 points. A chunk of her points came late in the contest and extinguished every Iowa attempt to close in on the lead. Fellow LSU senior LaDazhia Williams also converted clutch buckets down the stretch. The forward finished with 20 points and five rebounds.

But, of course, noLSU Tigers’ win is complete without an Angel Reese double-double. The sophomore forward added to her single-season double-doubles record (34) with 15 points and ten rebounds. Reese was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for her efforts.

The LSU Tigers (34-2) and Iowa Hawkeyes (31-7) exchanged leads during the 2nd quarter of the Women’s NCAA Tournament Championship Game. Then, Iowa trailed LSU 33-32 at the quarter’s 7-minute mark. But it was the closest the Hawkeyes would get to a title.

With determination and pure swagger, the LSU Tigers unleashed an unheard-of offensive performance in women’s college basketball.

SHOP LSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONS GEAR FROM BREAKINGT

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We suspected Iowa would employ a defensive scheme to shut down the low post and open up LSU to shoot. Suffice it to say, the Tigers took their shots, and they hardly missed. LSU converted 54.3% of their field goals and hit 11-of-17 from three-point territory. Additionally, the Tigers took advantage of Iowa’s early foul trouble, hitting 71.4% of free throws.

Iowa did what they do best, hitting shots from the perimeter. Caitlin Clark finished with 30 points, including some impressive long-range buckets. But the LSU Tigers played with an edge the Hawkeyes couldn’t match. Each time Iowa forced a turnover, the Tigers’ defense answered. Moreover, a more significant LSU offensive conversion answered every big Hawkeyes’ score.

Simply put, the LSU Tigers would not be denied the crown. They played like a team that would win, no matter what, for all four quarters in Dallas. Moreover, we believe the LSU Tigers were beating any opponent on this day. Yes, South Carolina, that includes you.

Next. The moments that made the LSU Tigers season memorable. dark

We’ll have more thoughts and reactions on the title game and season in the coming days. But, for now, we’re off to celebrate with the rest of Tiger nation