LSU upsets Virginia Tech behind huge fourth quarter to advance to their first National Championship Game

LSU Tigers #45 Alexis Morris (G) looking over the Virginia Tech Hokies defense. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

DALLAS, TX – Coach Kenny Brooks was beaming with a huge smile at the end of the third quarter as his Virginia Tech Hokies were up nine points, ten minutes away from a trip to the National Title game.

That smile quickly faded as the LSU Tigers outscored the Hokies 29 to 13 in the fourth quarter to upset the 1-seeded Tigers 79-72 at American Airlines Arena on Friday night.

LSU rallied in the fourth quarter thanks to guard Alexis Morris whose 27 points led the Tigers. Angel Reese also came up big in the final frame and her 12 rebounds on the night were tops for LSU to go along with her 24 points.

The Tigers came into the match 0-5 in National Semifinal games, the most losses by a team without a win but struck early ending the first quarter with a 16-13 lead.

Virginia Tech Hokies #33 Elizabeth Kitley (C) shooting a jump shot from the left side of the court against several LSU Tigers players. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

Virginia Tech dominated the second and third quarters outscoring LSU by twelve points. Elizabeth Kitley laid it all on the line with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 blocks for the Hokies on the night. Kayana Taylor and Georgia Amoore had 17 each. 

With the score tied midway through the fourth quarter, Flau’jae Johnson picked off a Virginia Tech pass from Kayana Taylor and drove down the court to score giving LSU a 64-62 lead, their first lead since 32-30 in the second quarter.

That play was part of a 22-3 run by the Tigers in the 4th quarter and they capitalized on that momentum never looking back en route to their nine-point victory.

“It’s crazy that I’m sitting up here,” said LSU coach Kim Mulkey. “It’s crazy we’re getting ready to play for a National Championship!”

LSU will face off against Iowa for the National Championship Sunday at 12:30 pm.