LSU coach Kim Mulkey wishes South Carolina’s Camila Cardoso had picked a player her size to battle in the final minutes of the SEC Women’s Basketball Championship game.
LSU’s Frauge Johnson’s younger brother jumped onto the court and nearly got into a brawl that ended with him being taken away by police, taking the spotlight off what was a highly entertaining game between two of the best programs in women’s basketball. Ta.
Mulkey expressed regret over the turmoil she got into with the eventual champion Gamecocks, who won 79-72 on Sunday, but added a little in her conversation with the media.
“No one wants to be a part of that. No one wants to see that ugliness,” Mulkey said. “But I can tell you this: I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push your kids. You’re 6-8 years old, don’t push that on someone. In my opinion, it was unnecessary. Leave the two jaw-clacking girls alone.”
The two girls Mulkey was referring to were Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins of South Carolina.
University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley had a slightly different reaction when speaking to ESPN after the game.
As the 6-foot-3 Watkins celebrated in front of Johnson, Johnson shoved him, causing Cardoso to run in and push the 5-foot-10 Johnson to the ground, sparking a scuffle that cleared the bench. Ta.
“I just want to apologize to the basketball community. When you’re playing in a championship game like this in our league, things get heated,” Staley said. “There’s no malicious intent. Sometimes things like this happen because their emotions get ahead of them. So we’d like to apologize for any part we played in that. That’s not who we are. That’s not our purpose. No, but I’m happy that the players who were able to finish the game brought us another championship.”
Staley reiterated that message when addressing reporters, adding that Johnson came to her after the game and apologized. According to the Post and Courier.
Cardoso later apologized for the incident.
“I sincerely apologize for my actions during today’s game.” She posted on X. “My actions do not represent me personally or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret the offense and inconvenience they caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and will continue to do so to the fullest extent possible.” We are committed to conducting ourselves with respect and sportsmanship.”
