Kim Mulkey, the controversial head coach of LSU women’s basketball, reprimanded yet another reporter. In the midst of the team’s challenging 79-72 defeat to South Carolina in the SEC tournament championship game on Sunday, ESPN’s Brooke Weisbrod posed what appeared to be a standard question about the game being more physically demanding than usual. However, Mulkey promptly dismissed the notion, responding with, “Come on now. You don’t think it’s been physical all tournament? What do you want me to say?”
Weisbrod continued with a question about defending South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, but Mulkey’s response veered away from the specific player. Mulkey stated, “I think we’ve done fine. The same thing happened at our place. We had a lead and we gave up threes at the end of the quarter. That’s how good teams beat you. They take advantage of opportunities. The same thing happened in Baton Rouge.”
Despite Mulkey disputing the heightened physicality of the game, the situation escalated into violence during the second half.
A tumultuous brawl broke out with slightly over two minutes remaining in the game when LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson intentionally fouled South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley. Following some pushing, Kamilla Cardoso knocked down Johnson, triggering a chaotic melee. In the aftermath, Johnson’s brother rushed onto the court from the stands, leading to his subsequent handcuffing and removal from the court.
While South Carolina coach Dawn Staley issued an apology for the brawl, Kim Mulkey took a dig at Kamilla Cardoso, who stands at 6-foot-7. Mulkey criticized Cardoso for targeting the 5-foot-10 Flau’jae Johnson instead of the 6-foot-3 Angel Reese.
“It’s ugly, it’s not good, no one wants to be a part of that,” Mulkey stated. “But I’ll tell you this, I wish [Cardoso] would’ve pushed Angel Reese. If you’re 6-8, don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it.”