ALBANY, NY — Kim Mulkey’s hands shot to her head in a look of seeming disbelief with 44 seconds to play in regulation. The defending national champion LSU Tigers had traded both blows and baskets with the UCLA Bruins from the opening tip, and with just under a minute to go, guard Flau’jae Johnson sliced to the basket for a layup over the outstretched arms of star Bruins center Lauren Betts.
The Tigers led by four. Mulkey stood almost frozen. Those behind her leaped for joy.
It was a fitting contrast of reactions for a Sweet 16 matchup as tightly contested as the one Saturday afternoon. Coaches, players and fans alike oscillated from feeling the tension of the moment to the elation of it. There were 13 lead changes in No. 3 LSU’s 78-69 win over No. 2 UCLA. For every swing in the fourth quarter, the tenor in the arena shifted.
But it was the Tigers who prevailed, extending their season and setting up an Elite Eight matchup Monday with either Colorado, or their opponent in last year’s title game, Iowa. Johnson led LSU with 24 points, adding 12 rebounds. After LSU guard Hailey Van Lith drew a charge on the possession after Johnson’s key basket, Johnson leapt with excitement.
Seconds later, after a UCLA foul, she hugged Mulkey, with the player and coach soaking in the joy of the moment.
The final scoreline might have been nine, but it was far less convincing a victory than that lets on. LSU entered the fourth quarter tied with the Bruins, the first time they’d played in a game this season in which neither team led entering the final frame. And after multiple ties, they led by only one with 1:46 to play.
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LSU beats UCLA, advances to Elite Eight behind Flau’jae Johnson’s 24 points
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