LSU vs. NC State Women’s Basketball Highlights: Aneesah Morrow Powers LSU to Elite Eight

ALBANY, N.Y. — On a night when legends rise and legacies begin to cement, Aneesah Morrow etched her name in LSU basketball lore, leading the Tigers to a hard-fought 78–69 win over NC State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. With a ferocity that matched the stakes, Morrow delivered a statement performance — scoring 28 points, pulling down 12 rebounds, and adding 4 steals — to help LSU punch its ticket to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season under head coach Kim Mulkey.

It was the type of performance championship teams are built on — gritty, explosive, and relentless. And in the crucible of March, Morrow shined the brightest.

From Tipoff to Takeover: Morrow Sets the Tone

The moment the ball was tipped at MVP Arena, it was clear LSU had come to play with urgency. The Tigers, coming off a gritty win over UCLA in the second round, started hot. They opened the first quarter on an 11–2 run, fueled by transition buckets, tight defense, and Morrow’s early presence in the paint.

Morrow scored 10 of LSU’s first 14 points, using her blend of physicality and finesse to attack NC State’s interior. Whether it was a midrange jumper, a backdoor cut, or a putback off the glass, Morrow had the Wolfpack scrambling.

“She’s just a beast — point blank,” said senior guard Hailey Van Lith, who added 12 points and 5 assists in the win. “When she gets going like that, it lifts the whole team.”

LSU finished the quarter up 22–14, and the tone was set.

NC State Responds, LSU Holds Ground

The second quarter saw NC State, a No. 3 seed in the tournament, start to push back. Behind star guard Aziaha James and veteran presence Saniya Rivers, the Wolfpack strung together an 8–0 run that tied the game at 28. LSU, momentarily rattled, called a timeout as Mulkey paced the sideline, visibly fired up.

But that’s when the Tigers, and Morrow in particular, locked back in.

Coming out of the break, Morrow hit a tough fadeaway jumper, then stole a lazy inbounds pass and converted a layup — swinging momentum right back to LSU. Flau’jae Johnson followed with a fast-break three, and suddenly the Tigers were back in control.

At halftime, LSU led 39–33, with Morrow already posting 18 points and 7 rebounds.

“She’s our emotional engine,” Mulkey said of Morrow. “She’s physical, she’s tough, and she wants the moment. And this team feeds off that.”

A Second-Half Statement

The third quarter saw LSU’s depth begin to make a difference. While Morrow continued to dominate the glass, it was Aalyah Del Rosario, the freshman center, who gave LSU a critical burst of energy off the bench. She scored 6 points in the frame and helped hold NC State’s post players in check.

Still, NC State refused to go quietly. James hit back-to-back threes to cut the LSU lead to just three late in the third, and the game hung in the balance as the final frame began.

That’s when Morrow decided to take over — again.

She opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer from the top of the key, then followed it up with a transition layup and a blocked shot on the other end. Her personal 7–0 run extended LSU’s lead to 64–54, and the Tigers never looked back.

“She’s built for this,” Mulkey said. “That’s why we brought her to LSU — for moments like this.”

Defensive Execution, Rebounding Domination

Beyond Morrow’s offensive brilliance, LSU won this game with defense and rebounding — classic trademarks of a Mulkey-led team.

The Tigers outrebounded NC State 43–32, including 16 offensive boards that turned into 18 second-chance points. Morrow alone had 6 offensive rebounds, while Johnson added 3 of her own.

Defensively, LSU forced 17 turnovers, many of which came at crucial moments in the second half. Van Lith and Johnson harassed NC State’s guards into rushed decisions, and LSU’s rotations on the perimeter prevented the Wolfpack from finding rhythm in their half-court sets.

“Our defense was the difference,” Johnson said. “We wanted to make every pass tough, every dribble uncomfortable. And we did.”

Final Box Score Highlights

LSU:

• Aneesah Morrow: 28 pts, 12 reb, 4 stl
• Flau’jae Johnson: 16 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast
• Hailey Van Lith: 12 pts, 5 ast, 2 stl
• Aalyah Del Rosario: 8 pts, 6 reb
• Mikaylah Williams: 7 pts, 3 reb

NC State:

• Aziaha James: 21 pts, 4 reb
• Saniya Rivers: 13 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast
• Mimi Collins: 10 pts, 7 reb

Postgame Reactions

Kim Mulkey, LSU Head Coach:

“It was a war, and our kids battled. I’m just so proud of Aneesah — that’s a performance for the ages. But this was a team win. Defense, rebounding, hustle — all the things we work on, they showed up tonight.”

Aneesah Morrow, LSU Forward:

“I came here for this. I believed in what Coach Mulkey is building. I trusted the system, and my teammates believed in me. I’m just happy we’re still dancing.”

NC State Head Coach Wes Moore:

“Credit to LSU. Morrow was a matchup nightmare, and their pressure forced us into some tough spots. They’re built like a Final Four team.”

Morrow’s Journey: From Chicago to the Elite Eight

Morrow’s dominance wasn’t born overnight. The Chicago native and former DePaul standout transferred to LSU in the offseason, a move that made headlines across the college basketball landscape. She brought with her averages of 25+ points and 12+ rebounds per game and a reputation as one of the toughest, most skilled forwards in the country.

At LSU, she embraced a new role — sharing the spotlight with stars like Reese, Van Lith, and Johnson — but when it mattered most, she reminded everyone why she’s one of the best players in the nation.

“She’s always been elite,” Mulkey said. “But now she’s on the biggest stage, and she’s showing the whole world what she can do.”

Elite Eight Bound: What’s Next for the Tigers

With the win, LSU advances to the Elite Eight, where they’ll face Iowa in a much-anticipated rematch of the 2023 national championship game — a battle that pitted Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in a clash that captivated the sports world.

Although Reese is no longer in the lineup, Morrow has stepped into the spotlight seamlessly. And the Tigers, now battle-tested and brimming with confidence, believe they’re ready.

“We respect Iowa. We know what they bring,” Van Lith said. “But we’re not afraid of anyone. We’ll be ready.”

Mulkey echoed the sentiment, already thinking ahead.

“We’re one game away from the Final Four,” she said. “And this team believes.”

Analysis: LSU’s Formula for Success

What makes this LSU team so dangerous?

• Versatility: With scorers at every position, the Tigers can adapt to any game style — fast or slow, inside or out.
• Depth: Mulkey’s rotation goes 9–10 players deep, allowing for fresh legs and matchup flexibility.
• Defense: LSU held opponents under 40% shooting in each tournament game so far.
• Rebounding: The Tigers average +11 rebounding margin, a number that often determines tournament wins.

But most of all — they have Aneesah Morrow.

“She’s just a dawg,” Johnson said. “Plain and simple.”

Closing Thoughts: A Star Emerges

March is where stars are made. And on this night in Albany, Aneesah Morrow became one.

Her 28-point performance wasn’t just a statistical masterpiece — it was a declaration. LSU is more than just a one-year wonder. They’re a contender again, built on resilience, chemistry, and superstar talent.

As the Tigers march into the Elite Eight, one thing is certain: No one wants to see Aneesah Morrow in their bracket right now.