SPOKANE, Wash. — Third-seeded LSU punched its ticket to the Elite Eight with an 80-73 win against second-seeded NC State on Friday. 

Aneesah Morrow led the Tigers with 30 points and 19 rebounds.

Sa’Myah Smith scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, including some important free throws in the final moments that secured the victory over the Wolfpacks.

Down by four at the end of the third quarter, NC State opened the final frame with a 12-3 run to regain the lead.

Bad fouls and frustration seemed to have the Tigers disjointed. 

But LSU trimmed the Wolfpack’s lead to one before Mikaylah Williams made the go-ahead layup with 1:07 left.

Smith made a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 76-73 lead with 44.7 seconds remaining and LSU held on from there. 

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NC State sophomore Zoe Brooks scored 11 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, but her heroics fell short. 

The Tigers dominated the paint, outscoring NC State 42-22 in that area.

They also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Wolfpack 52-36.

LSU will play the winner of the UCLA-Ole Miss game for a chance at a Final Four.