By Susan Harman

ALBANY, N.Y. – Third-seeded LSU held off two seed UCLA in the first game at MVP Arena, 78-69. The Tigers tried to jam UCLA’s 6-6 post, Lauren Betts, and make the Bruins beat them from outside. The Bruins aren’t especially great from 3-point range anyway, but making 7-of-32 (.219) eventually doomed them.

“You can’t be afraid of height,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “She’s going to block your shots. Just take it in there and keep going at them. Run the floor. We didn’t get enough run-outs and enough transition buckets, but we got just enough at the right time.”

The Tigers were led by dynamic guard Flau’jae Johnson, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds and was a highlight show unto herself as she drove to the basket.  All American Angel Reese added 16 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out. Reese was the primary defender on Betts, but LSU gave her plenty of help.

Betts had 17 rebounds, scored 14 points and blocked four shots. Four Bruins were in double figures, but star Charisma Osborne was held to eight, and Kiki Rice fouled out with 13.

The Tigers (31-4) forced 19 turnovers and scored 23 points off of them. LSU shot well enough (.456) and disdained the 3-point shot, making 2-of-5.

Obviously Monday’s game will be a rematch of last season’s championship game won by LSU  102-85.

“I think everybody is pretty excited for it,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “Twelve million people tuned in last year to see this game. Might be the same this time; who knows?”

“It’s going to be a super competitive basketball game. No matter who we’re playing we’re going to get everyone’s best shot,” Iowa junior Sydney Affolter said. “And we’re one of the eight teams still playing. We’re excited to get out there Monday.”

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Halftime.  Iowa built a 48-35 lead at halftime. While the Buffaloes were shooting 34 percent from the field and 21 percent from 3-point range, the Hawkeyes shot 61 percent and 33 percent. They looked good and the offense was flowing freely.

“We try not to ever get comfortable with any type of lead,” Kate Martin said. “Really what we said is ‘play to win. Don’t get comfortable; don’t play not to lose.’ Just put your foot on the gas and keep rolling.”

“What we talked about at halftime is really come out and dominate that third quarter from the start, and that’s exactly what we did,” Iowa All American Caitlin Clark said. “We forced them to use a timeout.”

A fastbreak basket that led to a 3-point play by Affolter started Iowa off. Martin then drilled a three for a 19-point lead, and CU called timeout with just 1 minute, 15 seconds elapsed. The Hawkeyes outscored the Buffs 20-12 in the third quarter and eventually led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter.

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Hawk notes:  This is the second time in Iowa history that the team has reached the Elite 8 in consecutive years. The first was in 1987-88. Both in 1987 and 1988 Iowa was eliminated when it had to play on the home floor of its opponent. This is Iowa’s fifth Elite 8 appearance overall.

The Hawkeyes (32-4) have won nine games in a row.

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March-all marches on.  Gabbie Marshall scored 14 points and made 4-of-5 3-point shots besides working hard defending Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod. It was a welcome sight for Iowa fans.

“I was just telling myself to stay ready because I only had that one three in the first half,” she said. “And I missed a few other shots in the first half. But I’ve been telling myself ‘stay confident and stay ready, have my feet set.’ I know that my teammates will find me when I’m open and just have that confidence that I can knock the shot down.”