DALLAS — LSU wrote a new chapter in its basketball record book by erasing a 12-point, second-half deficit to score the school’s first Final Four victory, 79-72 against Virginia Tech here on Friday.
Alexis Morris scored 27 points; Angel Reese tied the NCAA Division I record with her 33rd double-double (24 points and 12 rebounds); and LaDazhia Williams scored 16 points to propel LSU into the national championship game against the South Carolina-Iowa winner on Sunday.
The victory continued LSU’s incredible climb back to relevance in its second season under Kim Mulkey, who won three national titles at Baylor.
It’s the first victory at a Final Four in six tries for the women’s program. The men’s program has not won a Final Four game in four trips.
Elizabeth Kitley had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Virginia Tech (31-5). Georgia Amoore and Kayana Traylor each chipped in 17.
LSU trailed 51-39 after a 3-pointer by Traylor with 5:40 left in the third quarter. Virginia Tech still led 59-50 at the end of the third, but the Tigers scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter.
Morris hit a 3-pointer and a layup, and Reese added a layup that forced a timeout from Tech with 8:12 left. Two minutes later, Morris tied the game with a free throw, and Johnson and Poole scored layups for a 66-62 lead with 4:46 left to end a 16-3 run.
LSU turned up the defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, allowing only 13 points and two field goals.
LSU seemed in control after a jump shot by Morris gave the Tigers a 32-23 lead with 4:48 left in the first half, but the Tigers didn’t score again before halftime. The Hokies went on a 11-0 run and went into the break ahead 34-32.
The Tigers missed their last six shots of the half. Williams missed most of that time when she went to the bench with her second foul at 3:59 of the second quarter, joining Flau’jae Johnson who already was there.
The Hokies also did a strong job on the glass, beating LSU there 25-14 in the first half, including an 11-5 edge on offensive rebounds.
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