LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey responded to the fight that took place on the court involving her players and South Carolina in the SEC Tournament final on Sunday
Kim Mulkey complained about Kamilla Cardoso’s shove of Flau’jae Johnson in the SEC Tournament final. (
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After South Carolina defeated LSU, 79-72, in the SEC Tournament final on Sunday, Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey vented about the actions of Gamecocks star Kamilla Cardoso in a fourth-quarter brawl. Mulkey suggested Cardoso should pick on someone her own size.
Cardoso, who is 6-foot-7, pushed down Flau’jae Johnson, who is 5-foot-10, during a bench-clearing scuffle. Referees ejected Cardoso for her role in the melee, and the Gamecocks star will miss the first round of the NCAA Tournament to suspension.
“It’s ugly, it’s not good, no one wants to be a part of that,” Mulkey said. “But I’ll tell you this, I wish [Cardoso] would’ve pushed Angel Reese. If you’re 6-8 [6-7], don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it.”
Johnson had initially appeared to exchange words with South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins in the aftermath of her fourth-quarter transition foul on guard MiLaysia Fulwiley. Then, Cardoso stepped in with the shove. Johnson’s brother jumped onto the court from the stands to confront Johnson and was escorted off the premises, reportedly in handcuffs. However, according to The Advocate, authorities have let him go after ejecting him from the arena.
Cardoso apologized for her actions in a social media statement, while Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley also expressed regret for what transpired.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game,” Cardoso wrote. “My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future.”
LSU lost both of its games to South Carolina this year. (
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Meanwhile, Staley apologized to the crowd over the PA system and also shared remorse in an on-court interview with ESPN. The reigning National Coach of the Year emphasized that she holds her players to a higher standard than they showed on Sunday.
“I just want to apologize to the basketball community,” Staley told ESPN. “When you’re playing in championship games like this, in our league, things get heated. No bad intentions. [Everyone’s] emotions just got so far ahead of them that sometimes these things happen, so I want to apologize for us playing a part in that because that’s not who we are. That’s not what we’re about.
“But I’m happy for the players who were able to finish the game. … We’re going to talk about it [in the locker room]. We always talk about it. Never leave the bench, never get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. It’s hard when you’re playing. I’ve played this game a long time, and I can’t tell you I was a saint at all times. Your emotions get the best of you.”
