This was the moment they’d waited for their entire career.
With seven points at five minutes left, senior forwards Theresa Plaisance and Shanece McKinney saw the fate of their final game at the PMAC in their hands. Plaisance, for one, was not about to let it slip like so many games this season.
LSU (21-12, 7-9 Southeastern Conference) went on a 20-4 run in those final five minutes, capping a 76-67 win against No. 2 seed West Virginia (30-5, 16-2 Big 12) in the second round of the NCAA tournament. It’s the first time since 2008 the Lady Tigers have made the Sweet 16 in consecutive years.
The Lady Tigers controlled much of the game, but foul trouble and injuries helped West Virginia pull ahead as the game neared its final minutes. But the combination of strong rebounding, stingy defense and a raucous home crowd keyed LSU to its comeback.
The Lady Tigers came out with the same fast-paced game plan that helped them in their 98-78 victory against Georgia Tech, building a 17-9 lead in the first eight minutes.
But turnovers, one of LSU’s main vices throughout the season, led to a Mountaineers comeback. West Virginia held a lead for a while before LSU pulled back ahead to lead at halftime, 37-35.
Sophomore guard Danielle Ballard was LSU’s catalyst again in the first half, tallying 12 points and five rebounds. Ballard was the star of Sunday’s win, recording 24 points and 17 rebounds against Georgia Tech.
The main concern at that point for the Lady Tigers was senior point guard Jeanne Kenney, who left with 7:22 remaining in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion. Kenney had a history with concussions before and did not come out with the team in the second half.
Caldwell said the team used Kenney’s injury as inspiration for the remainder of the game. The Lady Tigers turned their thoughts into actions, scoring the first seven points of the half to open up a nine point lead early.
But a victory only became more difficult when both Plaisance and McKinney picked up four fouls early the second half. The Lady Tigers were suddenly without their three senior leaders, and West Virginia took advantage, attacking inside and at the line to take a 56-50 lead with 9:57 left.
The reserves began to hold ship, however, as good defense and a 3-pointer from junior guard DaShawn Harden cut the lead to three. Plaisance then reentered the game with more than six minutes left, and the game was ready for its conclusion.
Buckets from Plaisance and freshman guard Jasmine Rhodes coupled with three failed West Virginia possessions gave LSU a 68-65 lead. Freshman guard Rina Hill, Plaisance and Ballard then went eight-for-eight from the line to seal the victory.
Next week, the Lady Tigers will learn how it feels to be on the other end of a home court advantage in the tournament, playing Louisville(32-4, 16-2 American Athletic Conference) on Sunday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Victories against No. 14 Idaho and No. 6 Iowa secured the Cardinals berth in the third round.
The game will be a rematch of LSU’s third game and first loss of the season. The Lady Tigers lost 88-67 Nov. 14 to the Cardinals, a game that saw Louisville go on a 21-0 run midway through the second half.

Gallery • 29 Photos

Taylor Balkom

LSU sophomore guard Danielle Ballard (32) dribbles around a West Virginia defender Tuesday, March 25, 2014, during the Tigers' 76-67 win against the Mountaineers in the PMAC.