The LSU Tigers are headed back to the Elite Eight after a 78-69 win over the UCLA Bruins in their Sweet 16 matchup on Saturday, and it wasn’t without some controversy.
Angel Reese fouled out of the game with three minutes left but managed to get under Bruins head coach Cori Close’s skin before getting off the floor. The Tigers star picked up a sixth foul nearing the end of the contest and had some choice words for the UCLA bench while walking off.
“That’s soft A- S-, the F- you talking about?” she was seen mouthing towards the opposing bench.
Surprisingly enough, the WNBA-bound star did not get a tech, much to the disappointment of Close, who went ballistic on the sideline.
Angel Reese was also seen telling Close to “watch your mouth” after the game, though she denied it when speaking to the media, claiming she was responding to “another coach who was talking crazy.”
UCLA coach Cari Close loses her mind on the sideline begging Reese to get T'd up pic.twitter.com/wrSgCosm4P
— sportsvids99 (@sportsvids991) March 30, 2024
While the LSU Tigers were able to pull off the win, Reese was very unhappy with the officiating and let everyone know it. She posted a double-double on the day, scoring 16 points and adding 11 rebounds while Flau’jae Johnson led the Tigers in scoring with 24 points, adding 12 rebounds.
Angel Reese And The Tigers Are Closing In On Another Final Four Appearance
Angel Reese helped LSU beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in last year’s championship game, and one more win would put them in the Final Four for the second consecutive year, as well as for the seventh time in school history.
The Tigers are looking to become the first women’s team to go back-to-back in the NCAA Tournament since the UConn Huskies won four straight from 2013-2016.
Reese has been one of the best players in the country over the past two years and will have a chance to embellish her college legacy with another trip to the Final Four, as well as another potential title win.