In a closely contested NCAA women's basketball tournament match aired on ESPN, the defending champions, LSU, secured a hard-fought victory over Rice with a final score of 70-60. The game, part of the Albany 2 Regional first round held at the PMAC, saw LSU improve their season record to 29-5. Despite a spirited effort from Rice, which kept the game competitive until the final moments, with scores like 62-56 and 57-48 indicating the tight contest, LSU managed to pull away late in the game to set up a second-round clash with MTSU, who hold a 30-4 record. Notable performances included Reese's double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds, along with significant contributions from Morrow, Johnson, Williams, and Poa. Flau'jae Johnson also shined, helping to keep the momentum with LSU. The match, which tipped off around 3:10 p.m., was a nail-biter, with LSU experiencing over 20 turnovers and the score being closely matched throughout, reflecting the intensity and competitiveness of the game.
LSU pulls away for a tough win over Rice! 💪 https://t.co/nkqyjfyokU
Rice falls short against defending champion LSU in NCAA women's basketball https://t.co/LXyYPY6tvc
LSU open their tournament run with a win over Rice. 🐯 https://t.co/pdzP8tYZ9V
FINAL: (3) LSU is moving on to the Round of 32. https://t.co/f68KJqME8j
3-seed LSU survives a tough battle against 14-seed Rice to move on in the women's tourney 😮 https://t.co/xW9OK15fFC
FINAL in the PMAC NCAA Albany 2 Regional 1st Round @LSUwbkb 70 Rice 60 It was a struggle, but the Tigers go to 29-5 and will play MTSU (30-4) Sunday in the second round. Time TBA.
Poa back to the line with 24.8 seconds left. She makes 2. 68-60 #LSU
Damn, LSU. +20 turnovers, down to the wire against Rice? #NCAAMarchMadness
Poa, an 85% FT shooter, makes two. 66-58 #LSU with 45.3 seconds left. Rice calls time out to advance the ball. It's got three left. This could take awhile.
1:43 left #LSU 62 Rice 56 Tigers have had a fight they could not have expected today.
Poa with the drive. Lotta heart from this young lady. 62-51 #LSU with 3 min left.
#LSU 57, Rice 48 4:49 left Rice ball The P in PMAC is for palms that are sweaty right now.
Morrow the basket and foul. Rice's Malia Fisher fouls out with 13 points. Lane violation on #LSU, still 57-46 with 5:35 left.
End of the 3rd quarter NCAA Albany 2 Regional 1st Round @LSUwbkb 53 Rice 42 Tigers finally put a little daylight between themselves and the Owls, but not much. Reese 10 pts, 18 reb Morrow 13 pts, 6 reb Johnson 12 pts Williams 11 pts 17 LSU turnovers. Eech.
Flau'jae Johnson coming through 🔥 (via @MarchMadnessWBB) https://t.co/97YQVjQLZz
Rice only down 3 against LSU at halftime 👀 (via @MarchMadnessWBB) https://t.co/j7Fr9gKPzE
Halftime in the PMAC NCAA Albany 2 Regional 1st Round #LSU 30 Rice 27 The Owls Emily Klaczek just heaved the ball at the basket with the shot clock winding down and it went in. Big lift for Rice.
Poa with a 3 from the left wing. Looks well recovered from her concussion in Greenville. 27-19 #LSU
NCAA Albany 2 Regional 1st round At the PMAC #LSU 7, Rice 6 4:26 1st qtr Score was listed as 7-7, but in the media time out they changed a Rice 3 to a 2.
Flau'jae with a Caitlin Clark-like 3. Deep. 5-0 #LSU early
So no Hailey Van Lith Bowl in the 2nd round. MTSU 71 Louisville 69 #LSU about to hit the court for pregame warmups with Rice. Looks like tipoff around 3:10 p.m. on ESPN.
Our @LSUwbkb reigning champions are kicking off their tournament run against Rice. Good luck to the Tigers! #Geaux
Albany 2 Regional At the PMAC Louisville 17 MTSU 7 3:54, 1st #LSU
Flau’jae Johnson is prepping collaborations with hip-hop heavyweights like Lil Wayne and NLE Choppa as she helps L.S.U. defend its basketball title in the N.C.A.A. tournament. https://t.co/jMybSDKsAh
After a remarkable run to make the NCAA Tournament, the Rice women face a big hurdle against defending NCAA champion LSU in the first round. https://t.co/hoYawhv1f8