DOWN GOES LSU! The women’s national champions and the nation’s top team are blown out 92-78 by No. 20 Colorado in Las Vegas as title defense gets off to a nightmarish start

As the saying goes, heavy is the head that wears the crown — and on the first night of the 2023 season, defending champion LSU couldn’t hold its head high.

The Tigers were eliminated on the first night of the season, falling to No. 20 Colorado 92-78 in Las Vegas.

Colorado was able to put together a consistent team shooting performance to a win, while LSU struggled both on the field and from distance.

LSU shot 43.9 percent from the field and a flat 40 percent from behind the arc – just ten three-point shots on the night.

Angel Reese, who posted a double-double in the national title game against Iowa, improved her performance with two additional rebounds vs. the Buffaloes. She posted 15 points and 12 boards on a 6-for-15 shooting line.

Transfer guard Hailey Van Lith scored 14 points and seven assists, but struggled shooting, going 4-for-11.

Meanwhile, a trio of solid performances on the other sideline led the way for Colorado in the region.

Senior guard Frida Formann went 9-for-15 with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. Junior center Aaronette Vonleh dropped 24 points on an 11-for-15 shooting line and finished as the Buffaloes’ most efficient starter.

THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW.

Colorado’s defense smothered the Tigers, forcing them to shoot just 43.9 percent on the night