Tigers hardened for NCAA tournament run

LSU lost for the 16th straight time to South Carolina in the championship game of the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers dropped a 79-72 decision to the Gamecocks in a game which, unfortunately, will be remembered for the on-court skirmish with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game.

South Carolina led by seven points when the game’s physicality resulted in ugliness. Both teams had players responsible for unsportsmanlike conduct – no one more so than 6-foot-7 Gamecocks post player Kamilla Cardoso who pushed 5-10 Flau’jae Johnson to the floor.

Until the final two minutes, what transpired on the court was a reflection of two excellent teams with excellent head coaches competing for a title. South Carolina and LSU won the last two national championships. Both teams are prepared to snag another crown.

The Gamecocks, who lost multiple players to the WNBA from last year’s team, had proven they were ready to shoot for another NCAAA tournament crown. South Carolina has yet to lose a game this season.

A talented Tigers squad had to show people it was in the Gamecocks’ class as a national title contender. Remember about five weeks ago LSU was sitting with a 5-3 conference record after back-to-back losses to South Carolina and Mississippi State.

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But, coach Kim Mulkey got her team to play better on the defensive end – the result being eight straight victories to close the regular season.

The Tigers may not have been playing for seeding in the SEC tournament as they seem to be locked into a No. 2 seed for the NCAA tournament. However, LSU did display in its three games in Greenville (S.C.) a toughness which will serve it well as it goes for another crown.

Things were not tilting in the Tigers’ direction over the weekend. First, freshman sensation Mikahyla Williams was nursing a foot injury. She did not participate in LSU’s first two games and was ineffective in 23 minutes Sunday.

In Saturday’s semifinals, point guard Last-Tear Poa suffered a concussion in the final minutes against Ole Miss. What caused for more tense moments was the fact that Poa left the arena on a stretcher.

LSU settled down emotionally and completed an eight-point victory over the Rebels with Poa on the way to the hospital. Poa was released from the hospital and watched Sunday’s game from the team hotel.

So, here were the Tigers going against South Carolina, which needed a 3-point shot at the buzzer by Cardoso to beat Tennessee in the other semifinal game. LSU exhibited a lot of guts and determination in the championship game.

After jumping out to a 13-7 lead, the Tigers were outscored 11-2 over the rest of the first quarter. LSU hung close throughout the second quarter and trailed 36-32 at halftime.

On two occasions in the second half, the Tigers fell behind by double digits. First, the Gamecocks started the third quarter on a 10-1 run to go on top by 13 points. LSU showed resiliency and pulled within four points at 57-53 late in the third quarter.

Second, South Carolina pulled back ahead by ten points at 65-55 with 7:45 remaining in the game. Once again, the Tigers did not break. Sparked by five points from Hailey Van Lith, LSU reduced its deficit to a single point at 67-66 with 4:36 to go. 

However, the Gamecocks exhibited their championship mettle and responded with six consecutive points. Right after that South Carolina 6-0 run, the altercation between the teams occurred.

There is no doubt a rivalry exists between Mulkey’s Tigers and Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks even though it has been a long time since LSU beat South Carolina.

A third meeting this year between these teams would be highly anticipated. The Tigers have proved they will not back down if there is another game between these two teams with even higher stakes.
 

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