Kim Mulkey, LSU women's basketball make first Final Four since 2008 after easing by Miami

GREENVILLE, S.C. – As LSU mounted a pivotal 6-0 run late in the second quarter, Miami couldn't even find room to make passes.

There were four straight possessions where freshmen Flau'jae Johnson and Sa'Myah Smith or sophomore Angel Reese got blocks or steals, helping the Tigers slowly build their largest lead of the game.

LSU women's basketball's unexpected run through the NCAA Tournament rolls onto the Final Four in Dallas next week.

Behind a suffocating defensive performance, LSU (32-2) knocked off No. 9 seed Miami, 54-42, on Sunday inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Defense vs. Miami drives LSU women's basketball to Final Four

There were multiple occasions during the Elite Eight matchup in which the Hurricanes meandered through scoreless droughts. The longest occurred in the third quarter as Miami went more than 5:30 without making a shot.

LSU clamped down on the Canes from the opening tip and applied pressure all night as it didn't allow any offensive rhythm for the Hurricanes, who went 0-for-15 from behind the arc.

Miami had as many turnovers (18) as made field goals, finished with its lowest point total all season and shot 30% for the game.

Angel Reese sets SEC double-double record

Move over, Teaira McCown, there's a new queen in town.

With a putback in the third quarter, Reese secured her 32nd double-double this season, breaking McCown's record of 31 she set back in 2018-19.

Reese finished with 13 points and 18 rebounds.

Alexis Morris kept LSU women's basketball afloat in first half

LSU made just three of its first 18 shots with every player but senior point guard Alexis Morris going 0-for-15 from the field.

Morris scored the first six points, all off of layups in transition, for the Tigers as they struggled to knock down good looks. LSU shot 29% in the first half as Morris led the team with eight points.

Morris ended with a team-high 18 points.

Kim Mulkey, LSU to meet winner of Virginia Tech-Ohio State game in Final Four

For the first time since 2008, the Tigers are back in the Final Four.

In Dallas next weekend, LSU will meet the winner of the Seattle 3 Regional championship between No. 1 seed Virginia Tech (30-4) and No. 3 Ohio State (28-7) on Monday (9 p.m., ESPN).

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, LSU women's basketball make Final Four, beat Miami