BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Following a thrilling national championship encounter between LSU and Iowa last season, viewers may witness a potential rematch in the 2024 Elite Eight. LSU’s impressive performance on Saturday solidified their spot in the ongoing pursuit of that possibility.
Flau’jae Johnson showcased her prowess on the court by contributing 24 points and 12 rebounds, guiding LSU to a hard-fought victory over UCLA in the Sweet 16. Despite trailing with less than three minutes left, Johnson and her teammates rallied for a 14-2 surge to send UCLA packing. Lauren Betts of the Bruins displayed remarkable skills with 14 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocked shots, while effectively defending against Angel Reese. Reese, though struggling with scoring efficiency, managed to impact the game greatly by securing 11 rebounds, two blocks, and four steals.
As LSU advances to their 10th Elite Eight, they await the outcome of the Iowa versus Colorado matchup. Iowa faced a tough challenge against West Virginia in the previous round before pulling off a late victory. The upcoming game against a physical Colorado team presents another demanding task for the Hawkeyes. With Iowa relying heavily on Caitlin Clark for their offense, Colorado’s broader scoring approach may prove to be an advantage.
The action is set to shift to Portland, where top-seeded USC will clash against fifth-seeded Baylor. Following this matchup, third-seeded UConn will battle it out with seventh-seeded Duke in what promises to be an intense showdown.
For those following the NCAA Women’s Tournament Sweet 16, CBS Sports will provide comprehensive coverage as the day’s events unfold. Stay tuned for live updates, analysis, and highlights as the tournament progresses towards the Elite Eight.