Kim Mulkey leads LSU women's basketball past Virginia Tech, into first NCAA championship game
DALLAS – Alexis Morris wasn't ready to leave home just yet.
The LSU women's basketball senior point guard, a Beaumont, Texas native, switched her goal from celebrating her Senior Night at the Final Four to the national championship.
Morris, more affectionately known as Lex Luthor, vanquished Virginia Tech (31-5) with 27 points in the Tigers' 79-72 victory inside American Airlines Center on Friday night.
LSU (33-2), in Kim Mulkey's second season in Baton Rouge, advances to its first national championship appearance.
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Alexis Morris carries Kim Mulkey, Tigers to national championship game
Morris, playing in front of a multitude of family and friends, was not going to be denied against the Hokies.
She slashed, she created, she welcomed and took open shots, hitting a host of them.
Her performance was a far cry from how the guard had played leading up to the Final Four, as she had struggled to get going in the previous four NCAA Tournament games.
But as it has been all season for the Tigers, when they needed a big shot, they turned to Morris and she delivered. The Hokies had no defense for her.
LSU Tigers made point to pound paint with Angel Reese, LaDazhia Williams
LSU went inside early and often. It paid off, as 20 of LSU's first 24 points came from the paint, from its bigs as well as senior point guard Alexis Morris penetrating to the basket.
LSU totaled a monstrous 54 points in the paint to Virginia tech's 14.
Reese finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds and Williams had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Kim Mulkey continues to defy odds, leading LSU to NCAA championship game
When Kim Mulkey was introduced as LSU's coach in 2021, she said her goal was to bring championships back to Baton Rouge and LSU.
Mulkey, who won three national championships at Baylor, has gotten the Tigers as close as they've ever been.
LSU women's basketball made five straight Final Fours from 2004 to 2008 but lost all five games.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey guides LSU women's basketball to 1st national title game
