Kim Mulkey Adds Fuel To The Fire By Calling Out South Carolina Player After Ugly Brawl

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The scene got ugly in the SEC women’s basketball championship game between South Carolina and LSU. The two squads were involved in a benches-clearing scuffle with about two minutes left in action that led to a multitude of ejections and a one-game suspension for a Gamecocks star.

After the game, both head coaches commented on the incident. Those responses differed greatly.

Things began when LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson grabbed South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley while attempting to foul on a fast break. Gamecock teammates then surrounded Fulwiley in celebration as they looked to extend a late lead.

A frustrated Johnson was still caught in the middle of the celebration, and she took her anger out with an elbow to the neck of Ashlyn Watkins.

Then, all hell broke loose!

Center Kamilla Cardoso ran over and quickly shoved Johnson to the ground as she showed support for her teammate. The scene became chaos as sidelines emptied.

Officials and coaches were able to separate the sides after a few moments, ending the final incident in what was an extremely chippy game.

After the contest, each head coach commented on the ugly altercation.

Dawn Staley was apologetic while Kim Mulkey fueled the fire!

“I just want to apologize to the basketball community… When you’re playing in championship games like this, in our league, things get heated. No bad intentions… I want to apologize for us playing a part in that… That’s not who we are & not what we’re about.” – Dawn Staley https://t.co/tmSoTsRcOj pic.twitter.com/0LEDwcudKW

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 10, 2024

Staley was asked about the brawl on the floor as what was left of her team celebrated an SEC championship.

“I just want to apologize to the basketball community,” she said. “When you’re playing in championship games like this, in our league, things get heated. No bad intentions… I want to apologize for us playing a part in that… That’s not who we are and not what we’re about.”

Kim Mulkey’s response was a bit different.

https://t.co/DamezsUqFA pic.twitter.com/zkCauTdduQ

— Pat Timlin (@pat_timlin) March 10, 2024

“I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese,” she said in reference to Kamilla Cardoso. “You’re 6-8, don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls that were jawing, let them go at it.”

Mulkey’s comments did little to calm tempers, in fact, they did quite the opposite!

It’s almost as if she’s egging on another incident should the two teams meet again in the NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina won this round, moving to 2-0 against the Tigers this season. Round 3 is shaping up to be the best yet! We’ll see if it happens in the Big Dance.