PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — In a thrilling finish, Kailyn Gilbert made a crucial layup with just 1.6 seconds on the clock, leading No. 7 LSU to a narrow 68-67 victory over Washington in the first round of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship on Monday.
During the final moments of the game, Flau’Jae Johnson managed to keep possession of the ball as it threatened to roll into the backcourt, which set the stage for Gilbert’s decisive score. After grabbing the loose ball from a diving defender, Gilbert maneuvered through the opposing team’s defense and released a shot that clung precariously to the rim before finally dropping in. Immediately afterward, Gilbert secured a critical steal that confirmed LSU’s victory.
Aneesah Morrow excelled for the Tigers, marking her 80th career double-double with a standout performance of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson matched her contribution with another 19 points, while Sa’Myah Smith also made a significant impact, contributing 16 points alongside a personal best of 15 rebounds.
On the other side, Sayvia Sellers delivered an impressive performance for the Huskies, netting a career-high 24 points, complemented by Ellie Ladine’s contribution of 14 points and nine rebounds.
Takeaways from the game highlighted Washington’s resilience compared to last season’s struggles, as they concluded the previous year with a 16-15 record and a 6-12 tally in their last Pac-12 campaign.
LSU also displayed its tenacity, managing to secure the win despite shooting only 33%—their lowest percentage of the season—and hitting just 3 out of 19 from beyond the arc.
A pivotal moment came when Sellers executed a challenging step-back 3-pointer, extending Washington’s lead to 62-57 with 4:31 left to play. However, she fouled out just 18 seconds later, leaving the team to rely on their bench, which went scoreless over 27 minutes of play.
In terms of statistics, LSU made the most of their free throws, converting 15 of 21 attempts while Washington shot 7 of 10. The Tigers also dominated on the boards, garnering 26 second-chance points through 27 offensive rebounds, showcasing their aggressiveness on the glass.
Looking ahead, LSU is set to face either N.C. State or Southern in Wednesday’s championship game of the tournament, while Washington will square off against the team that does not advance from that matchup.