Angel Reese on fight with South Carolina: 'It turned up and went ways we didn't want it go'

This year’s SEC Championship was one to remember, for more reasons than one, based on all that took place in Greenville. Angel Reese will recall it that way too with what all happened both on the court and in the extracurricular.

Reese spoke about LSU’s title loss to the Gamecocks and the incident that escalated late in the contest with the media postgame. She said that she’d never been a part of a matchup or moment like that. However, she added said that some things like what we saw today just come when two great teams meet in a setting like that.

“No – I’ve never been a part of a game like that,” said Reese. “But, of course, you know, two heavy-hitters? We ‘gon battle.”

“We not scared of them. They not scared of us. We came in and knew what we had, they came in there with what they had,” Reese said. “It turned up and went ways that we didn’t want it to go.”

Reese went for a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double in the 79-72 defeat to South Carolina. Her efforts helped the Tigers to outrebound the undefeated Gamecocks. In the end, though, it wasn’t enough as they dropped their second meeting with them this season.

Reese was also one of the few players who wasn’t in the mix of the fight that happened with about two minutes left in the championship. She was down at the end of the bench while several players, such as Kamilla Cardoso, Flau’jae Johnson, Ashlyn Watkins, and Hailey Van Lith to name a few, were amidst a sideline-clearing scrum.

Still, loss and fight aside, Reese had pride in her team for their fight today. They were shorthanded and still gave their best shot to the top team in the nation on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m proud of this team,” said Reese. “We fought, we fought, we fought with five, maybe six, healthy players, if that.”

Now, from here, LSU will enter the NCAA Tournament and will be looking to defend their national title. That mission comes with a message from Reese as she’s warning opponents now about the version of her team that will be taking the floor over the next month of the postseason.

“Just know that we not scared,” said Reese. “We’re at a place right now that I’m proud of and I’m happy to where we are right now

Kim Mulkey criticizes officials, Kamilla Cardoso

Kim Mulkey believes the way that officials called the SEC Tournament title against South Carolina may have contributed to the mayhem at the end.

Speaking postgame, Mulkey pointed to a lack of foul calls in the fourth quarter. She believes that might have led players to think they could get away with more physical play and contributed partly to the fight.

“Do you realize there was only one foul called on each team with two minutes left in the fourth quarter?” she said. “Are you kidding me? That might have created some of that. Not the way we play. We’re going to foul your ass. They’re going to foul your ass. You only blew the whistle one time? Think about that now.”

“Flau’jae, what I saw, intentionally fouled (Milaysia) Fulwiley because she stripped her. Great move because she’s gonna get a layup right there. Then some jawing went on with her and another player and the next thing I know Cardoso just waylaid her. So I ran because somebody came out of the stands — I think it was Flau’jae’s brother. Trying to keep him from doing anything crazy.”

Mulkey didn’t stop there, however. She also went on the call out Cardoso, who stands 6-foot-7 compared to a 5-foot-10 Johnson, for going after a much smaller player.

“I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese,” Mulkey said. “When you’re (6-7)? Don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls that were jawing? Let them go at it.”