LSU Dominates as the Lady Tigers Win Their First Championship in School History
By: Joshua Martin
It’s funny how in this country we can see the same gesture and come away with two different conclusions. It's also funny how a dominating performance by the LSU Lady tigers can be overshadowed with everything else that's going on off the court.
Let's start by giving props to Angel Reese as she wins the Tournaments Most Outstanding Player. The double double machine carried her strong regular season performance into the tournament and was undoubtedly the team's emotional leader.
The Tigers got off to a hot start shooting the ball, led by Jasmine Carson’s 21 points in the first half off the bench. The senior guard was super efficient, hitting all seven of her first half shots including a three pointer off the glass right before halftime.
National Player of the year Caitlin Clark struggled to find a rhythm as she was held scoreless in the second quarter despite accumulating 14 for the half. Clark also made NCAA tournament history passing Sheryl Swoopes’ record for most points in a single NCAA women’s tournament.
The Hawkeyes comeback was valiant but short lived. Foul trouble was a major issue all night for Iowa. Late in the third quarter Iowa’s starting center picked up her fourth foul of the game while Clark simultaneously was hit with a technical foul.
The Tigers ultimately cruised to a 102 - 85 victory, which is the first women’s national title in school history.
During the closing moments of the game, the tiger’s Reese hit Clark with the “you can’t see me” gesture made popular by WWE wrestler John Cena and proceeded to point to her ring finger.
Clark made a similar gesture during Iowa’s Elight Eight victory versus Louisville, which drew praise from Cena.
If it wasn’t “classless” when Caitlin Clark did it, don’t call it classless when Angel Reese does it. Let the women compete, it’s sports!! pic.twitter.com/lJpS1NId68
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 2, 2023
"I don't take disrespect lightly."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2023
Angel Reese on her celebration in front of Caitlin Clark. pic.twitter.com/IxrdUz1ae6
Several big named athletes came to the defense of Reese after many viewed her actions as classless, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James
FACTS!!!! Love to see it https://t.co/YrrlIyg90S
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 3, 2023
Let me be clear this has nothing to do with Clark. She is an amazing player.
But…
"I'm too hood, I'm too ghetto. Y'all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y'all don't say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me."
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 2, 2023
Angel Reese is unapologetically her 👏 @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/9cuCWwayhA
To me “unapologetically You” equals “unapologetically Black” Keep doing your thang sis!!
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com