LSU womens basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has a bone to pick with Tigers faithful after droves of fans were spotted leaving early during the game.
On Thursday, No. 5 LSU secured a come-from-behind victory over Stanford, defeating the Cardinal in overtime, 94-88. Yet the Tigers appeared to be heading towards their first loss of the season late in the contest, prompting many attendees to head for the exits before the final whistle sounded.
With less than one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, guard Elena Bosgana hit a free throw to extend Stanfords lead, 78-72. LSU guard Mikaylah Williams ensured the Tigers wouldnt go down without a fight, however, nailing two jump shots and a free throw in the closing 40 seconds of regulation to force overtime.
Paige Bueckers shows true colors in moment with Flau’jae Johnson’s family
Kim Mulkey receives gift from LSU stars after making history in convincing fashion
Speaking to reporters during a post-game press conference, Mulkey took issue with the sea of fair weather fans who left before LSUs thrilling comeback. When asked if she noticed the mass exodus at Pete Maravich Assembly Center, she replied: I did. And I took names. I wont see them in church Sunday because Ill be gone. But Ill catch them next Sunday.
I saw it. Sure did, Mulkey continued. We were down, I think, seven with about a minute and something to go. Some of them turned back around. Yeah. You know, once I saw them walking out, I was like, okay. Fair weather fans. Let me be the bad guy. I saw who they were.
On more than one occasion in the back-and-forth contest, Mulkey wore her emotion on her sleeve during several outbursts on the sideline. Moments after guard Aneesah Morrow was assessed a technical foul, the often outspoken coach lashed out at an official – prompting several Tigers assistant coaches to pull her aside.
Then with just under two minutes left in overtime, Mulkey feverishly swung her arms in excitement after LSU guard Kailyn Gilbert drilled a clutch jumper to grow the Tigers lead to six points.
While LSU players are often the ones to receive the brunt of Mulkeys intensity on the sideline and in the huddle, the 62-year-old asserted that its nothing personal. The thing about this game is we are intense in there. You dont take anything personal. These kids belong to me and I belong to them, she told members of the media.
We chose each other and Im not the only one that gets up and challenges them. I could never imagine being a passive coach. I could never imagine playing for a passive coach, because I tend to think kids are a reflection of the coaching staff. And were not going to give up on them.
The Tigers will look to keep their perfect 10-0 record intact when they face off against Grambling St on Sunday.
Leave a Reply