Iowa Hawkeyes vs. LSU Tigers: How Each Team Got Here

Tigers’ Pivotal Fourth-Quarter Run Key in Win Over Virginia Tech

On one side of the coin, we have the LSU Tigers, who looked to be in a bit of trouble, as they trailed 59-50 heading into the final frame. But over the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, LSU went on a pivotal 15-0 run to take control of the contest. They outscored top-seeded Virginia Tech by a 29-13 margin in the fourth quarter en route to a come-from-behind 79-72 victory.

Alexis Morris led the Tigers’ scoring attack with 27 points. Angel Reese chipped in with a solid double-double effort that included 24 points and 12 rebounds (including six on the offensive glass). Senior forward LaDazhia Williams also contributed with 16 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists. 

While the Tigers converted only three of their 13 attempts from beyond the arc, they limited the Hokies to just 40.4 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc. Head coach, Kim Mulkey, who helped guide Baylor to three national championships in 21 seasons, has gotten LSU to its first-ever title game in just her second season with the program. 

Caitlin Clark Comes Up Clutch Once Again In Upset Win Over Defending Champs

On the other side of this matchup, we have an Iowa Hawkeyes team that had an impressive showing against South Carolina. Not only were the Gamecocks the defending national champions, but they also came into this matchup riding a 42-game winning streak that dates back to March 2022.

However, the Hawkeyes refuse to wilt under the pressure. Yes, they got clobbered on the boards by a whopping 49-25 margin, including a 26-5 advantage on the offensive glass. Yes, South Carolina also outscored Iowa 24-8 in second-chance points. 

But thanks to a stellar defensive performance by the Hawkeyes that limited South Carolina to 39 percent shooting from the field and 20 percent from distance, they prevailed 77-73 in a game that very much lived up to the hype. It is also worth mentioning that Iowa guard Caitlin Clark poured in a game-high 41 points (15-for-31 shooting) to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. 

It was her second straight tournament game in which she scored 40 points. And as is the case with the Tigers, the Hawkeyes will be making their first appearance in the title game as well.