Alexis Morris shares what LSU thought during Iowa's charge back
Alexis Morris and LSU won it all but Iowa made a charge in the second half. However, Morris and the Tigers held off Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes’ comeback attempt.
Iowa got within seven points in the third quarter, but LSU went back up by double digits. That’s despite Iowa outscoring LSU in the third frame.
Morris kept it simple when asked how LSU limited Iowa during the latter’s comeback.
“No threes,” Morris said. “The only thing I kept telling my teammates, whatever we do, we’ll take twos over threes. Iowa is a great team. We knew they were going to make runs. Coach Starkey had been telling us in the huddle they’re going to make runs and we have to stay composed. As a leader on the team, I have to keep everybody calm in those moments. It’s very important not to panic.
“When I do score in those moments, it just settles my team down. It keeps everybody cool-headed and level-headed in those moments.”
Morris finished the game with 21 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Jasmine Carson led the way with 22 points, three rebounds and one assist.
Angel Reese had the biggest moment, particularly at the end of the game. That’s when she used Clark’s own celebration against her. Reese finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
LSU might’ve been the best team anyway, despite undefeated South Carolina making the Final Four. Iowa pulled off that upset, but the Tigers were ready.
“I knew going into this game Iowa wouldn’t be able to guard us the same, how they guarded South Carolina,” Morris said. “So I just kind of like, we just had to read their defense and make the right plays and not try to force anything and just be LSU. Stay true to our identity and what got us here to this point. And what I said was I didn’t say Iowa played disrespectful defense. I said to me personally, if someone was to sag off of me, then as a competitor and as someone who puts in the time and the hours — and I dedicate time in perfecting my shot — then I would take that as disrespectful.
“And I had complimented Iowa, I said they have great defensive schemes. That’s clever. That’s intelligent. You should play that way. You have to play to your strengths and your weaknesses, and that’s what Iowa does on defense, and I gave credit to them. They’re a great team, great coaching staff. Caitlin’s a great player. She’s literally changing the game. She’s changing the game for us right now, her and Angel. They’re doing a great job. I just want to make that clear that I give respect when it’s due and I give credit when it’s due.”