On Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers made history by winning their first-ever NCAA women's basketball national championship title in Dallas, Texas. The Tigers put on a dominant performance, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 in a game that set multiple records.
LSU shot a blistering 58% from the field in the first half, including 75% from three-point range. Their 59 first-half points set a new record for most points scored in a half in a women's championship game and gave them a commanding 17-point lead at halftime.
The Tigers' first-half barrage was sparked by Jasmine Carson, who came off the bench to score 21 points in the opening half, including a perfect five of five on three-pointers. Carson finished the game with 22 points, leading the Tigers to victory.
After the game, Carson described the experience as "surreal," saying, "Every player dreams of being on a big stage like this and having the game of your life, and for it to come to fruition – it meant a lot."
LSU's 102 points set a new record for most points scored by a team in a women's championship game. The team's success was due to a balanced scoring attack, with four players scoring in double figures.
Iowa's Caitlin Clark led all scorers with 30 points in the game, setting a new record for most points scored in a women's tournament with 191. The 2023 national player of the year broke the previous women's record of 177 points set by Sheryl Swoopes in 1993 while playing for Texas Tech. Swoopes set the record playing in five games compared to Clark's six game total.
Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey was emotional during the game's final seconds as she secured LSU's first women's basketball championship in just her second year at the helm for the Tigers. "Coaches coach a lifetime, and this is the fourth time I've been blessed," an emotional Mulkey told ESPN. She had previously won three NCAA women's basketball national championships during her time at Baylor.
"Never in the history of LSU basketball, men or women, have they ever played for a championship, and to win it, I think my tears are tears of joy. I'm so happy for everyone back in Louisiana," Mulkey said.
The Tigers became just the third No. 3 seeded team to win the title and the first since 1997. A crowd of 19,482 was in attendance to watch LSU's victory. According to the NCAA, over 350,000 people turned out to watch the women's March Madness, setting a new record for the competition.
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