| The LSU Tigers have shown they can win both ways in the NCAA Tournament. They can blow 'em out, like they did in the first two rounds against San Diego State (103-48) and Florida State (101-71). They can grind 'em out, like they did in Friday's 80-73 Sweet 16 victory over North Carolina State in the semifinals of the Spokane 1 Regional in Washington. The Tigers (31-5) are back in the Elite Eight for the third straight year thanks to a decisive 10-0 finishing kick fueled by the stellar play of this game's "Big Three." Aneesah Morrow had 30 points and 19 rebounds, Sa'Myah Smith had 21 points and 11 rebounds to continue the best run of her career, and Mikaylah Williams had 19 including 10 in the crucial final four minutes. Up next for LSU: a tournament rematch with No. 1 overall seed UCLA, which beat Ole Miss 76-62. They will play at 2 p.m. CDT Sunday on ABC for the right to go to the Final Four in Tampa next week. LSU, which is making its 11th Elite Eight appearance and is aiming for its seventh Final Four (UCLA has never been), beat the Bruins 78-69 last year in the Sweet 16 in Albany, New York. There's more from Spokane, like the head-turning outfit always fashion-setting coach Kim Mulkey wore (Was it more Michael Jackson or Sgt. Pepper? You decide) and the reason why former LSU star Angel Reese said the Tigers' victory over the Wolfpack was personal for her. LSU baseball had its own tense battle Friday night, waiting out a long weather delay before edging ancient rival Mississippi State 2-1 to clinch their series. Fans at The Box watched the LSU-NC State game on the giant video board while they waited for the game to finally begin. Meanwhile, our Koki Riley drops this story on whether college baseball would be better with wooden bats. Over at Tiger Park, the LSU softball team's "Smash Sisters" were at it again, run-ruling a top-10 opponent. And finally, the LSU men's basketball transfer portal keeps spinning, with Vyctorius Miller and Noah Boyde being the latest to enter it. One last thing before we go: Because of the threat of more rain Saturday morning and afternoon in Baton Rouge, first pitch of the LSU-Mississippi State series finale has been moved from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check out www.TheAdvocate.com during the day to see if the game time changes again. Enjoy your sports weekend everyone, and try to wear something stylish like Coach Kim. Scott Rabalais | 
