LSU advances past Virginia Tech in the Final Four

Here they come. The LSU Tigers took back the lead for the first time since the midway point of the second half. Tigers lead 72-62. 

Alexis Morris and Angel Reese are battling to keep LSU alive. Reese has eight fourth-quarter points, Morris scored six. 

Buckle up, it's going down to the wire in Dallas. 

Virginia Tech came out of the locker room and kept the same energy from the half. The Hokies extended its 12-0 run to 16-0. 

Georgia Amoore moved through her shooting struggles to shatter an NCAA tournament record for most made 3-pointers with 23. 

But, LSU isn’t going anywhere. The Tigers got the once 12-point lead down to five earlier before the Hokies ended the quarter with a nine-point gap. 

Stay tuned, it’s gonna be a fun finish. 
 

Virginia Tech's has broken the single-tournament record for most 3-point FG made with 23! x

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)

LSU comes out on top after the first 10 minutes leading Virginia Tech 16-13. 

The Tigers took advantage by forcing seven turnovers converting that to 10 points. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech took advantage on the offensive glass with nine rebounds for nine second-chance points. 

The Hokies stumbled out of the gate shooting 25% compared to 44% from LSU. Alexis Morris tops all scorers with eight points. 

But after all that, it's just a three-point game. 

S&S: Stealing and Scoring

📺

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb)

We're minutes away from tip-off in Dallas between No. 1 Virginia Tech and No. 3 LSU. 

Here are the starting lineups: 

LSU Tigers 

G: Flau'jae Johnson,    
G: Alexis Morris
G: Kateri Poole
F: LaDazhia        
F: Angel Reese

Virginia Tech Hokies 

G: Georgia Amoore     
G: Cayla King       
G: Kayana Traylor
F:  Taylor Soule       
C: Elizabeth Kitley   

Think back to the start of the season, did you have LSU or Virginia Tech marching to Final Four? The two teams safely nestled in the middle of the AP preseason poll compared to their semifinal counterparts that ranked top five. 

Just a month into the season, both made waves powering their way up the rankings. Coming out as one of the top four seemed possible. Still, this game could mean a first for both programs.

The Hokies have never played in the national semifinals while the Tigers return after 15 years; either way, the winner will be headed to their first national championship appearance. 

Here’s how the two compare statistically: 

Virginia Tech is led by senior Elizabeth Kitley. Kitley (18.2 ppg, 10.7 rebounds) tops the Hokies in scoring all-time and this season. But, in the tournament junior guard, Georgia Amoore emerged.

Amoore has scored at least 20 points in every March Madness game off an ACC Tournament MVP. In the Elite Eight, the Kitley and Amoore combined for 49 — more than half of the Hokies' total offense. 

In the offseason LSU brought in the missing piece to their Final Four puzzle — Angel Reese. Reese transferred from Maryland and blossomed making a name for herself on and off the court. She’s averaging 22.3 points and 17.3 rebounds in the tournament including a 20/20 game.

But the Tiger's third-ranked offense doesn't end with Reese. Mixed in is fifth-year guard standout Alexis Morris (14.9 ppg) and SEC Freshman of the Year Flau'jae Johnson (11.1 ppg).

After two straight Final Fours with three returners, Virginia Tech and LSU enter as fresh blood with records to break and new heights to conquer.
 

No. 1 Virginia Tech battles in its first Final Four against No. 3 LSU which returns in its sixth semifinals looking for the first title. Here's how to keep up with all the action. 

Time: 7 p.m. ET 
Date: Friday, March 31
Watch: ESPN
Live stats: krikya18.com

First round

No. 3 LSU hosted No. 14 Hawai'i in the Round of 64 and won by 23 points. Angel Reese record a double-double of 34 points and 15 rebounds. That marked Reese's fifth 30-point double-double of the season. 

• No. 3 LSU 73, No. 14 Hawai'i 50 | 

Second round

The Tigers took on No. 6 Michigan next winning their second straight game by more than 20 points. The Tigers didn't shoot it all that well (35.3%) from the field, but LSU made up for it on the offensive glass (22-5) with 18 second-chance points.  

• No. 3 LSU 66, No. 6 Michigan 42 | 

Sweet 16 

LSU faced No. 2 Utah next at Greenville regional surviving the highly contested match with a three-point victory. In the end, it came down to free throws. In the final 10 seconds, the Tigers made four at the strike to take and then seal the lead. The Utes missed two crucial ones that would've put them ahead. 

• No. 3 LSU 66, No. 2 Utah 63 | 

Elite Eight

In the regional finals, the Tigers forced the clock to strike midnight on No. 9 Miami Hurricanes' Cinderella story. Alexis Morris scored 21 points to lead LSU to their first Final Four in 15 years. 

• No. 3 LSU 54, No. 9 Miami (Fla.) 42 | 

The Tigers and the Hokies have faced off three times since 1984. LSU claimed victory twice, and Virginia Tech won the first meeting almost 39 years ago. 

This Final Four will mark the first battle in 17 years.