“LaDazhia is a huge and very essential piece to us winning,” LSU’s Alexis Morris said. “She does the little things that she doesn’t get credit for, or the things that don’t really show up on the stat sheet.”
Morris and Williams teamed up to defend the screen-and-roll actions of Georgia Amoore and Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech’s star duo. Morris would step over the screen and chase Amoore from behind. Williams had to stand in perfect position, arms out, cutting off Amoore’s driving lane while keeping a close eye on Kitley.
“I wouldn’t say she does the dirty work,” Morris said, “but she does the things that most post players don’t do. She takes pride in helping the guards and stepping up on those pick-and-rolls, even though it might get her in foul trouble.”
When Williams left the game, LSU lost a source of easy offense. In the first half, Williams displayed her refined footwork. She scored off a touch 18 feet out, a couple dribbles to the right, a spin move back to the left, and strong finish through contact. Then, a few minutes later — a sweep through, a drop step and a little floater, all from the right elbow.
In the four minutes Williams sat on the bench, Kitley was productive. She hit two jumpers, snagged two rebounds and recorded two blocks.
“I don’t think we’d be here without anybody,” LSU’s Kateri Poole said, “but especially LaDazhia. I love playing with Day. I told my dad last night, I wish Day had another year. She’s got some of the most impeccable footwork that I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m just happy to get her to her spots and set her up for those types of plays.”
Against Virginia Tech, Williams finished with 16 points (on 7 of 9 shooting), seven rebounds and three steals. To escape the Hokies, LSU needed all of it. And against Iowa, it will especially need her expertise in defending pick-and-rolls. For the Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark, the action is one of their most efficient, productive sources of offense.
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