Kim Mulkey criticizes officials, Kamilla Cardoso for LSU, South Carolina fight: 'I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese'

LSU coach Kim Mulkey believes the way officials called Sunday’s SEC Tournament title against South Carolina may have contributed to the mayhem at the end.

A fight broke out with two minutes remaining involving Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso and Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson. Things began when Johnson pushed aside South Carolina guard Ashlyn Watkins, who was taunting her after Johnson committed a foul. That led to Cardoso rushing in and knocking Johnson to the ground as benches cleared.

Johnson’s brother even jumped over the scorer’s table from the crowd and had to be escorted off the court in handcuffs.

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.”

The rumble resulted in Johnson receiving an intentional foul and Cardoso being ejected with a fighting penalty. All other players on both teams, except SC’s Saniah Fegin, were ejected from the game for vacating their benches. SC’s Te-Hina Paopao was also not ejected because she was at the score table when the scuffle occurred.

“Why weren’t the coaches tossed if they left the bench?” Mulkey continued. “Wouldn’t that be a hell of an ending? I guess it’s just the players that leave the bench area. It’s ugly. It’s not good. No one wants to be a part of that.”

After all of the penalties were handed out, LSU only had five players available and South Carolina had six players available. The Gamecocks would hang on for the 79-72 victory to claim their second straight SEC Tournament Championship.