The LSU Lady Tigers' quest for another National Championship has come to an end as LSU falls to UCLA in the Elite 8, losing 72 to 65. The UCLA Bruins have been a dominant force all season long, but LSU had several chances in this game to turn the game in their favor. Losing in the Elite 8 wasn't how everyone hoped this season would end with such a talented roster, but, it's far from a disappointing season.
Leaving the game, several moments in this game standout as moments where LSU lost the game while one moment was an incredible moment for the Tigers.
LSU didn't take advantage of Betts' foul trouble, and it cost them the game
The biggest key to the game for LSU was slowing UCLA star Lauren Betts as she's powered UCLA all season long. When Betts took her second foul in the first quarter, LSU was able to get her on the bench where the Tigers needed to take advantage. Instead, UCLA was able to leave Lauren Betts on the bench as the Bruins outscored LSU 22-12 in the second quarter. The Tigers settled for far too many jump shot with one of the best interior defenders on the bench and it allowed UCLA to give Lauren Betts rest for the final stretch.
In the second half, Lauren Betts was fresh and able to play nearly the entire half which may not have been the case if LSU was able to get her back into the game sooner.
Aneesah Morrow battles through a broken nose
During the Sweet 16, Aneesah Morrow made it clear she wasn't ready for her college career to end as she carried the Tigers scoring 30 points while grabbing 19 rebounds. In this game LSU almost lost Aneesah Morrow as she bumped head with Sa'Myah Smith and came up bloodied. According to the broadcast, Morrow suffered a broken nose but, she was able to tough it out returning for the fourth quarter without a mask. It's a shame that LSU wasn't able to win a championship with Morrow as she was incredible for the Tigers but, her effort every night will make her one of the most memorable players of the Mulkey era.
Turnovers and Threes swung the game for UCLA
These teams overall weren't separated by much as both rosters are loaded with star players. The difference in this game was UCLA's effectiveness shooting the three and LSU's constant turnovers. The Lady Tigers turned the ball over 15 times most of which came in the first three quarters which led to UCLA scoring 16 points off of turnovers.
It was always going to be tough for LSU to upset the UCLA Bruins especially as Lauren Betts is dominant outside. When you get the production from Betts that UCLA did in this game, you're tough to beat but, when the Bruins shoot 10-24 from three they'll be next to impossible to beat. UCLA took advantage of all the attention LSU put on Betts as they knocked down almost every open three in this game.
Questionable at best officiating in this game
In every sprot, you can't leave the game up to the officials but, in this game they clearly had a massive impact on the outcome. The catalyst was in the fourth quarter when a ball clearly went off of Kiki Rice's foot but, the referees somehow called it off of LSU and weren't able to review it.
That was 100 percent out on ucla pic.twitter.com/FVxw7mwe1p
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) March 30, 2025