The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the LSU Tigers in a close and intense battle in the Pete Maravich Center on Saturday night.
Coach Mulkey knows how close her team was to taking this win, as they did have an impressive performance in almost all the aspects of the game.
“I loved everything we did, except I didn’t like the way that we guarded Tessa, we didn’t do what I told them to do for three days, and you can’t anything without free throws. I can’t be too critical of many things, we didn’t turn it over much, we outrebounded them, we got to the foul line more than them, two for twelve from the three, but when you have the chance to get the lead with 44 seconds to go, we needed one more defensive stop, and we would be out here celebrating.”
Coach Mulkey was questioned about Flau’Jae level tonight after missing four out of six free throws; two of them could have meant the win for the Tigers.
“The same thing I think of her every time I get to coach, what a blessing it is to have her. Now you will focus on those last two free throws, we missed nine, that was the difference in the ball game. That’s where the game was lost.”
MiLaysia Fulwiley was one of the headliners coming into this game, as she transferred to LSU last year from South Carolina. The result wasn’t as expected by LSU fans, as she made 1-10 field goals and missed all of her three-point attempts.
“She did typical Fulwiley, she did some outstanding plays, got some layups, but then she turned it over. That’s part of who she is, and we gotta continue working on making her pluses and not minuses, because she has tremendous quickness; she just has things that she does naturally.”
Bella Hines was a topic throughout the press conference. Mulkey spoke highly regarding her performance after being a spark on the third quarter.
“I saw a kid that I need to play more. She has to take away the minutes of some other because she got out there and guarded Tessa, she wasn’t afraid to go up to her, she made shots, she had a lot of energy and effort, and she has my respect.”
