LSU dominated Michigan in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, winning 66-42. Michigan struggled to keep up with LSU’s offense, with Angel Reese leading the way with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Michigan’s bench production was limited, with freshman Chyra Evans contributing five points off the bench. Despite scoring the first basket of the second quarter, Michigan was unable to recover from LSU’s 11-0 run. LSU advanced to the regional semifinal to face Utah with a 30-2 record on their home court. Michigan finished the season with a 23-10 record and was unable to advance beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan’s Loss to LSU in NCAA Tournament
Michigan’s hopes of making it to the Sweet 16 for the third time in a row were crushed by LSU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The game was held on Sunday night at LSU’s home ground in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Michigan, the 6th seed, was unable to contain LSU’s star player, Angel Reese, who dominated the game with 24 points, 24 rebounds, six blocks, and three steals.
Michigan’s main weakness in the game was its inability to compete with LSU on the boards, as the Tigers grabbed exactly half of their 44 misses. The Wolverines held the 3rd seed LSU to 35% shooting, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. The Wolverines had their two lowest-scoring quarters of the season in the first half, and despite a push to start the second half, they trailed by at least 11 points for the final 15 minutes.
Michigan finished the season with a 23-10 record, unable to advance beyond the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The team was not able to match up to the elite competition, and the game against LSU was another example of this.
LSU, on the other hand, improved to 17-0 on their home court and will now face 2nd seed Utah in a regional semifinal in Greenville, South Carolina. The Tigers have an impressive record of 30-2 this season and will look to continue their winning streak.
Michigan’s sophomore Laila Phelia had an impressive game with 20 points, but no other Wolverine was in double figures. Leigha Brown, Maddie Nolan, and Emily Kiser, who were critical in Michigan’s first-round win over UNLV on Friday, struggled in the game against LSU. They combined to shoot 4-for-19 from the field, and Michigan shot only 35%.
Michigan’s head coach Kim Barnes Arico has now fallen to 0-3 against LSU’s Kim Mulkey in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines will also lose fifth-year seniors Brown and Kiser, who have exhausted their eligibility, and Michelle Sidor and Izabel Varejão, who are also seniors.
In the end, despite Michigan’s efforts to come back in the third quarter, LSU’s dominance on the boards and Reese’s outstanding performance proved too much for the Wolverines to handle. LSU led 47-31 entering the fourth quarter, and Flau’jae Johnson’s 3-pointer with 6:22 left in the game pushed LSU’s lead to 22. She scored another 3-pointer two minutes later, making it a 24-point lead for LSU.
LSU Dominates Michigan in NCAA Tournament
LSU’s dominant performance led to a win against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament’s second round. Michigan struggled to keep up with LSU’s strong offense, which was led by Angel Reese’s impressive 30 points and 13 rebounds.
Michigan managed to score only 15 points in the first half, and despite freshman Chyra Evans’ five points off the bench, Michigan’s overall bench production was limited. LSU’s nine offensive rebounds in the opening quarter allowed them to take a 12-7 lead, which they never relinquished.
Michigan tried to come back in the second quarter, scoring the first basket before LSU’s 11-0 run. However, they could not recover from their early deficit, and LSU continued to dominate the game.
The Wolverines finished the season with a 23-10 record and were unable to advance beyond the second round. LSU, on the other hand, will now move on to face Utah in a regional semifinal.
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