LSU suffered an 83-77 loss to South Carolina within the SEC semifinals on Saturday, marking the Tigers’ nineteenth consecutive loss to the Gamecocks. Regardless of many shut encounters, LSU has not defeated South Carolina since 2012.
“It takes time to put that basis,” Mulkey stated postgame. “Man, has (Daybreak Staley) laid it. And, man, are they good…I have been at LSU 5 years. We received a nationwide championship, we have been to quite a few Elite Eights. It takes time. And man, we’re simply clawing and making an attempt our greatest. And I believe we’re doing fairly good. We’re so shut.”
Mulkey beat Staley twice when she was at Baylor, however she is 0-7 in opposition to Staley because the LSU head coach. The Tigers had a really actual probability throughout the common season, however missed free throws late within the sport ended up being pricey.
The Tigers have been trying to redeem themselves this week, and their first-half effort regarded promising. LSU entered the break with a 40-36 benefit in a fast-paced sport. Nevertheless, South Carolina stole the momentum, thanks primarily to Raven Johnson scoring 12 factors within the third quarter.
LSU did not let the Gamecocks draw back an excessive amount of and was nonetheless very a lot in it throughout the fourth quarter. With 45 seconds remaining, the Tigers have been solely down by 5 factors and had two fouls to present. Mulkey stated postgame that the plan was to foul, but it surely simply did not get finished.
“There may be only a small margin of error that you would be able to must beat elite groups,” Mulkey stated. “We expect we’re an elite group, however we’re not there to win these shut video games in opposition to the South Carolinas, the UConns. That margin of error are little issues like that. We had two fouls to present. We have been going to for a steal proper there, fast lure. You aren’t getting it, we use one of many fouls. We simply, I do not need to say lose our composure, however we simply do not do it.”
South Carolina had 4 gamers in double figures, with Raven Johnson’s career-high 22 factors main the way in which. One vibrant spot for LSU was MiLaysia Fulwiley, a South Carolina native, scoring a season-high 24 factors in opposition to her former group and in entrance of her household.
Regardless of the loss, this was a very good redemption sport for Fulwiley, as she went 1 of 8 from the sector and solely scored six factors throughout their common season assembly, which LSU misplaced 79-72.
Jada Richard was one other high contributor for LSU with 17 factors, 11 of these coming within the second half. Mikaylah Williams additionally stood out as she registered 14 factors and seven rebounds. Nevertheless, it was a tough night time for Flau’jae Johnson, who solely scored six factors whereas going 1 of 8 from the sector.
LSU remains to be in a great spot for the NCAA Event because the Tigers are nonetheless a projected No. 2 seed, which might be the most effective seeding for this system within the Mulkey period.
South Carolina is about to compete in its seventh consecutive SEC event championship sport on Sunday. They are going to be chasing their fourth consecutive title, which might make SEC historical past.
