Kim Mulkey Points to Defensive Lapses in LSU’s Loss to South Carolina

BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey attributed her team’s 79-72 loss to South Carolina on February 14, 2026, to a failure to execute their defensive game plan, specifically regarding Tessa Johnson. Despite an overall positive assessment of the team’s performance, Mulkey expressed disappointment in their defensive efforts against Johnson.

Key Factors in the Game

The game, a closely contested matchup between two top teams, saw South Carolina emerge victorious. A significant factor in LSU’s defeat was their struggles from the free-throw line, where they shot 14-of-23. In contrast, South Carolina was nearly perfect, going 15-of-17 from the line, including a flawless performance in the fourth quarter. As reported by Greenville Online, LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson missed two crucial free throws with 45.2 seconds remaining in the game.

Mulkey’s Post-Game Comments

“I liked everything we did except I didn’t like the way we guarded Tessa (Johnson),” Mulkey stated after the game. “We didn’t do what we were told for three days.” This suggests a pre-game emphasis on containing Johnson, which ultimately wasn’t successful. A post-game interview with Mulkey on YouTube further details her frustration.

South Carolina’s Perspective

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the competitiveness of the game, stating, “It was two of the best teams in our conference, in the country just trying to get a win.” Staley also highlighted LSU’s strong offensive rebounding performance, noting that 18 offensive rebounds typically lead to victories. However, she emphasized that South Carolina ultimately got “lucky” with Johnson’s missed free throws and a subsequent basket. According to Greenville Online, Staley was surprised by LSU’s performance given their rebounding numbers.

LSU’s Fourth-Quarter Performance

Despite the loss, LSU demonstrated resilience, particularly in the fourth quarter. They secured 12 of their 18 total offensive rebounds in the final period, creating opportunities to close the gap. However, their free-throw shooting woes continued, going 5-of-8 from the line in the fourth quarter.

Looking Ahead

The loss to South Carolina marks a setback for LSU, but Coach Mulkey’s focus on defensive improvements suggests a commitment to addressing the issues that contributed to the defeat. The team will need to refine their execution and improve their free-throw shooting to remain competitive in the SEC and beyond.