The No. 24 LSU Lady Tigers were selected as a six seed in the Spokane Region of the 2018 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Monday.
LSU (19-9, 11-5 Southeastern Conference) will open the tournament against Central Michigan in Columbus, Ohio, and if they win, they will move on to face either Ohio State or George Washington.
“This group has worked extremely hard,” said LSU coach Nikki Fargas. “Just to see where we were three years ago with all the injuries and to have our name called today, all the hard work is paying off.”
The selection marked the 26th appearance and second consecutive appearance for the Lady Tigers in the NCAA Tournament.
LSU finished the regular season tied for fourth in the SEC in the regular season and were one of seven SEC teams selected to the NCAA tournament.
“The SEC is the toughest conference to play in,” said sophomore forward Ayana Mitchell. “You have several players which are All-Americans. The competition is crazy. Going into conference play and playing those teams night after night prepared us for what we have next.”
LSU is led by first team All-SEC selection and All-SEC defensive selection senior Raigyne Louis and second team All-SEC selection junior Chloe Jackson.
Jackson and Louis averaged 17.9 and 16.2 points per game this season and combined for 123 steals.
“I have been through a lot here, not in a bad way,” Louis said. “To have the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament and have our name called as a six is a blessing. I am glad to have another shot in the tourney. Hopefully, we make this one count.”
 

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Dianna Roxas

LSU junior forward Tatum Neubert laughs during the NCAA Women’s Selection Show on Monday, March 12, 2018.