Kailyn Gilbert's late heroics secure LSU victory over Washington

On November 25, 2024, in Paradise Island, Bahamas, No. 7 LSU faced Washington in the first round of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship. The game was tightly contested, culminating in a dramatic finish with Kailyn Gilbert's layup with only 1.6 seconds remaining. This crucial score gave LSU a narrow 68-67 victory. Flau'Jae Johnson's quick thinking during a scramble set up Gilbert's basket, demonstrating the intensity and pressure of tournament play. Despite struggling with their shooting, LSU managed to capitalize on their offensive rebounds, accumulating 26 second-chance points. Aneesah Morrow led the Tigers with her impressive 80th career double-double, contributing 19 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson matched her score, while Sa'Myah Smith provided significant support with 16 points and a career-best 15 rebounds. Washington's Sayvia Sellers had a standout performance, scoring 24 points, but her fouling out in the final moments of the game had a significant impact on her team's chances. The Huskies' reserve players were unable to score in a combined 27 minutes, illustrating the challenges they faced. Washington's grit was apparent despite the loss, having shown potential with its previous record. The win puts LSU in a promising position as they move on to play N.C. State or Southern in the championship game of the tournament. Washington will also have a chance to compete again against the loser of that matchup, maintaining the competitive spirit in this early-season tournament.