LSU sets title-game scoring record, beats Iowa for program’s first NCAA championship

DALLAS — Caitlin Clark was the best player on the floor in the NCAA women’s championship game, but LSU was the better team and took home the best trophy of all to prove it.

Five Tigers scored in double figures, including Jasmine Carson with 21 off the bench in the first half, as the Tigers won the program’s first national championship with a 102-85 victory at American Airlines Center on Sunday.

Kim Mulkey will earn some extra spending cash for bringing LSU a national championship

Tigers coach Kim Mulkey delivered LSU’s first NCAA title in six trips to the Final Four by finally subduing Clark and the scrappy Hawkeyes. LSU broke the record for most points in a championship game, previously held by Texas in a 97-81 win over Southern Cal in 1986.

It was the most points for the Tigers (34-2) since putting up 107 against West Carolina on Nov. 13.

Carson finished with 22 points to lead the Tigers and it was her 5-for-5 shooting on 3-pointers that helped LSU overcome foul trouble and lead 59-42 at halftime. Iowa cut the lead to seven in the third quarter but Alexis Morris took over. She scored 19 of her 21 points in the second half and had nine assists.

Angel Reese had 15 points and 10 rebounds for her NCAA-record 34th double-double of the season, and added five assists and three steals. LaDazhia Williams had 20 points, five rebounds and three steals and Flau’jae Johnson added 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.