For the first time in program history, UCLA is heading to the Final Four. The No. 1 overall-seeded Bruins outlasted a comeback from LSU to earn a 72-65 win and dash the Tigers’ dreams of making it to Tampa.
LSU struck first, but UCLA outscored the Tigers 22-12 in the second quarter to build up a solid lead at halftime. Star Bruins center Lauren Betts found herself in early foul trouble, and missed the entire second quarter. But with their star on the bench, Betts’ teammates stepped up: Timea Gardiner and Gabriela Jaquez went off, especially from beyond the arc.
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The Bruins went up by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, but a second-half surge from LSU — led by stars Aneesah Morrow and Flau’jae Johnson — cut into UCLA’s lead.
Morrow exited the game with a bloody nose in the third quarter and returned shortly afterward, playing without a mask. But even with the injury, Morrow and Johnson looked nearly unstoppable in the final quarter.
For a while, free throws were the only thing that kept UCLA on top. The Bruins went on a long field goal drought in the final minutes of the game. But a massive three-pointer from Jaquez brought UCLA’s lead to seven points with just over a minute left.
LSU kept fighting back, with Johnson leading the charge. Morrow fouled out with less than 30 seconds left, ending her college career with a 15-point, seven-rebound performance while powering through that nose injury.
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Johnson, who scored 24 of her 28 points in the second half, could not lift LSU over the Bruins on her own. Time ticked down as UCLA secured the seven-point win.
Betts had another massive game for UCLA, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. But it was her teammates who really shined in this matchup. Jaquez finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, coming up clutch to secure the win in the final minutes, while Gardiner scored 15 points from five 3-pointers off the bench.
Now it’s on to the Final Four to play the winner of UConn-USC.
