Officials called into question over potential missed technical foul on Kim Mulkey
It’s fair to say that the women’s national championship game wasn’t the best-officiated matchup ever. With both sides dealing with questionable calls, it’s surprising that the referees administered only one technical foul in Dallas this afternoon. However, based on this reaction from Kim Mulkey during the victory for LSU, it’s fair for people, specifically those in Iowa City, to question why a second one wasn’t called.
In the clip, Mulkey can be seen arguing a missed foul call for LaDazhia Williams right in the referee’s face. It then appears as though Mulkey gets tied up with the official where she then shoves the referee off of her as she runs back down the court.
After watching this interaction, it makes the sole technical from the game look quite ridiculous. It was even more so considering it came against Iowa star Caitlin Clark.
Following a separate foul, Clark tossed the basketball behind her. It didn’t hit any other player or official while she also didn’t say anything to anyone. Even so, the crew deemed her behavior as unwarranted while they ruled Mulkey’s as fine at the moment.
Again, the crew didn’t call a perfect contest. Both sides, especially the Iowa starters, put up with a lot. It also doesn’t matter as much now considering the game has come and gone with the Tigers coming out victorious by a double-digit margin. Still, Clark’s technical has become harder and harder to defend ever since it happened, especially when you add this reaction from Mulkey in as additional context.
Reese taunts Clark with John Cena celebration during title win
There’s no question that LSU star forward Angel Reese put the cherry on top of the Tiger’s national championship win over Iowa on Sunday. The Tigers defeated Iowa 102-85 in the women’s national championship. That effort broke the record for most points scored in a national championship game.
Reese didn’t only help the Tigers break some records on Sunday, but the hearts of some Iowa fans. In the closing moments of the game, Reese mocked the infamous ‘you can’t see me’ celebration originated by WWE wrestler John Cena and revitalized by Iowa guard Caitlin Clark in their Elite 8 matchup during the tournament.
First, she points towards her finger to signify the Tiger’s future championship ring. Then Reese did Clark’s celebration directly in her face in a truly savage moment that can be seen below.