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In an impressive display of skill and determination, the LSU Tigers claimed their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship title by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 on Sunday in Dallas, Texas.
The Tigers were on fire in the first half, shooting an incredible 58% from the field, including a remarkable 75% from beyond the arc.
Their hot shooting resulted in a whopping 59 points in the first half, setting a new record for the most points scored in a half during a women’s championship game. The impressive performance also gave LSU a comfortable 17-point lead going into the halftime break.
The Tigers continued to dominate in the second half, never allowing the Hawkeyes to come within striking distance. LSU’s offensive firepower was on full display, with multiple players contributing to the team’s impressive point total.
In the end, the Tigers’ exceptional performance secured their place in history as the champions of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
Jasmine Carson ignited a first-half barrage for the LSU Tigers, coming off the bench to score an impressive 21 points in the opening half, including a flawless 5 of 5 on three-pointers. Carson’s superb performance provided the spark that the Tigers needed to take control of the game. She went on to finish with a game-high 22 points, leading the Tigers to their historic victory.
Following the game, Carson described the experience as “surreal” and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to shine on such a big stage. “Every player dreams of having the game of their life in a moment like this, and for it to actually happen is truly special,” she said.
LSU’s dominant offensive display resulted in a new record for the most points scored by a team in a women’s championship game, with the Tigers racking up an impressive 102 points.
Despite the loss, Iowa star Caitlin Clark put on an outstanding performance, scoring 30 points in the game and setting a new record for the most points scored by a player in a women’s tournament with a total of 191.
Clark, who was named the national player of the year in 2023, shattered the previous women’s record of 177 points set by Sheryl Swoopes in 1993 while playing for Texas Tech. It’s worth noting that Swoopes set her record in just five games, while Clark accomplished the feat in six games.
Kim Mulkey, a Hall of Fame coach, was overcome with emotion during the final seconds of the game as she led the LSU Tigers to their first-ever women’s basketball championship title in just her second year at the helm.
In a post-game interview with ESPN, Mulkey expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to coach a talented team and lead them to victory. “As a coach, you spend your entire career working towards moments like this, and I feel incredibly blessed to have won my fourth NCAA women’s basketball national championship,” she said, visibly emotional.
Mulkey’s historic win was especially meaningful for LSU, as they became the first men’s or women’s team in the school’s history to play for a national championship and ultimately win it. “My tears are tears of joy. I’m so happy for everyone back in Louisiana,” she added.
The LSU Tigers made history by becoming just the third No. 3 seeded team to win the NCAA women’s basketball championship title, joining a small group of elite teams that have accomplished this feat.
A staggering crowd of 19,482 fans were in attendance to witness LSU’s historic victory. This impressive turnout is part of a larger trend, as the NCAA reported that over 350,000 fans have turned out to watch the women’s March Madness tournament, setting a new record for the competition.
