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Kim Mulkey not happy with LSU's transition defense but loving start for Flau'jae Johnson, Angel Reese

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•03/30/24
Kim Mulkey
© Gary Cosby-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Seeking a rematch with Iowa in the Albany Region final, 3-seed LSU must first make it past 2-seed UCLA in the Sweet 16. With the game underway and through the opening quarter, that’s looking like it’ll prove a tough test.

The two programs were tied 15-15 after the first 10 minutes of play.

Importantly, the matchup between superstar bigs Angel Reese and Lauren Betts was played to a standstill in the first quarter. Reese had four points, while Betts had five.

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“Two outstanding players. I think both teams are trying to get the ball to them,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “I think transition has hurt us a little bit. They’ve gotten some breakaways a little bit. I think both teams are playing extremely hard, both teams seem to be a little bit excited and windy. And got a tie ballgame, 0-0.”

Betts did have a strong rebounding edge over Reese early in the contest, with six boards compared to just two for the LSU standout.

But the rest of the game was fairly even.

If there was a real difference in the first quarter it was probably the play of LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson, who scored eight points and was 2-of-2 beyond the 3-point arc.

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“She’s done it the entire playoffs,” Mulkey said. “Flau’jae has taken her game to another level and it’s made us better.”

LSU reached the Sweet 16 by knocking off Rice and then MTSU. Getting by UCLA figures to be a tougher test, with the Bruins well-equipped themselves to make a deep run into March.

Of course, if LSU can get past UCLA it would potentially set up one of the most highly anticipated rematches in women’s basketball history: LSU vs. Iowa. Iowa also must get past the Sweet 16, but the Hawkeyes are expected to do so.

The two programs met last year in the national championship game, a game that went the way of the Tigers instead of star Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark. Clark has had a historic season in leading her team back to the Sweet 16 and will likely draw massive crowds in Albany today and, potentially, on Monday.