LSU Basketball Coach Slams South Carolina Star for Going After Smaller Player in Bench-Clearing Fight: ‘I Wish She Would’ve Pushed Angel Reese’

Ahmad Austin Jr.Mar 11th, 2024, 12:35 pm
 
Kim Mulkey calls out Kamilla Cardoso after LSU-South Carolina fight

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LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey took issue with South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso picking on a smaller player when a fight broke out during Sunday’s game.

The Gamecocks beat the Tigers 79-72 in the SEC championship. Toward the end of the game, the benches cleared when Cardoso pushed LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson to the ground. Cardoso did so in response to Johnson shoving her teammate.

Six players, including Cardoso, were ejected for the scrum. Additionally, the star center will miss South Carolina’s first-round game in the NCAA tournament because she was ejected for fighting. The others were ejected for leaving the bench during the altercation.

Per NCAA rules, an ejection for fighting results is grounds for a suspension.

After the game, Mulkey called out Kardoso — who stands at 6-foot-7 — for getting into it with 5-foot-10 Johnson when she had nothing to do with the altercation in the first place.

“No one wants to be a part of that,” Mulkey said. “No one wants to see that ugliness; but I can tell you this: I wish she would’ve pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push a kid. You’re 6’8″. Don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for, in my opinion. Let them two gurl that were jawing, let them go at it.”

During the altercation, Reese stayed near her bench. She later explained that she was already walking to the bench after injuring her ankle. Additionally, she said it was especially important to avoid the situation considering how big a name she’s become.

To her credit, Reese being involved in a brawl likely would have amplified an already controversial incident.

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