Kim Mulkey gets feisty with ESPN sideline reporter after back-and-forth 1Q vs. South Carolina

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey didn’t mince words after a rollercoaster first quarter in the SEC Tournament Championship against South Carolina. With South Carolina ahead 18-15 after the first frame, an ESPN reporter asked Mulkey how she felt about the physical play down low.

“Come on now,” Mulkey responded. “I don’t think it’s been physical this tournament. What do you want me to say?”

Not everyone will agree with Mulkey. LSU’s Angel Reese and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso traded blows and buckets in the paint in the first quarter. Early on, Reese came out on top. Halfway through the period, LSU boasted a 13-7 lead.

Nonetheless, after a couple of self-inflicted wounds, South Carolina stole back the lead. Understandably, Mulkey wasn’t happy with the situation.

“I think we did fine,” Mulkey said. “The same thing happened at our place. We had a lead then gave up 3s at the end of the quarter. We just gave up 3s, had two turnovers, gave up two free throws, gave up a bucket.

“That’s how good teams beat you. They take advantage of opportunities. We come out. We take the lead and then we have turnover at the end of the quarter and they go up [and take] a three-point lead. Same thing happened in Baton Rouge.”

South Carolina & LSU get into heated scuffle

While Kim Mulkey didn’t believe the game was physical early on, everyone could agree it became too physical late in the contest.

With just over two minutes left in the game, LSU guard Flau’Jae Johnson committed a foul during a fastbreak on South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley. After the foul, South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins walked past Johnson clapping with a smile on her face.

Johnson took exception, pushing Watkins aside. In an act of retaliation, South Carolina leading scorer Kamilla Cardoso bolted toward Johnson, knocking her to the ground. The collision resulted in multiple players and staff members from both teams meeting at halfcourt.

Only adding to the chaos, Johnson’s brother hopped over the score table and onto the court, looking to defend his sister. He was swiftly put in handcuffs and escorted off the court.

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.

After all of the penalties were handed out, LSU only had five players available and South Carolina had six players available. Cardoso will also not be available for South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.