Kim Mulkey says this coaching decision allowed LSU to rally v Ole Miss

The decision Kim Mulkey felt ultimately allowed LSU women’s basketball to win the game against Ole Miss, she initially thought it might be too late.

Ole Miss led the Tigers 69-59, with 6:24 remaining. The move to a larger lineup featuring senior Amiya Joyner and sophomore Kate Koval inside, coupled with starting different defenders and the Rebels’ leading scorer Cotie McMahon, sparked the comeback. LSU went on a 19-1 run to close out the game and survive, 78-70, inside Sandy and John Black Pavilion on Thursday night.

Advertisement

With the win, LSU (23-4, 9-4) moves into sole possession of fourth place in the Southeastern Conference standings, meaning it is in the driver’s seat for the double bye to the conference tournament in a few weeks.

MORE LSU WBB COVERAGE LSU Women’s Basketball Comes Back, Escapes Ole Miss – Game Highlights

Junior star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley scored a career-high 26 points, scoring 22 in the second half to help the Tigers rally past Ole Miss (21-7, 8-5).

Kim Mulkey on the coaching decision that allowed LSU women’s basketball to rally against Ole Miss

“I think the decision we made as a team to go big was very effective. I just thought my two young freshmen needed to be taken out of the drive and that’s why I didn’t go big thinking that, you know, they could move a little better laterally. What was killing us was the second, third shot and I thought Kate and (Joyner) were just solid together. It was a big decision and I’m not sure I ever thought that I would do that in this match tonight But I did it and it worked.

Advertisement

Kim Mulkey on what LSU did differently defensively on Cotie McMahon

“We mixed it up. We went to that 3-2 zone. We maybe stayed there a little too long. They hit threes when we were there and then we went back, man, just trying to mix it up a little bit. Keep her off-balance. She’s so explosive and so powerful and with that, she’s so fast. We threw different people at her. (Fulwiley) was on her one minute and got a couple steals, then Jada (Richard) and Bella (Hines), Mikaylah (Williams), everyone we could. Give her different bodies to look at. You’re not going to guard her 1 on 1. We made sure that when she turned the corner, someone else was there to help her.

Kim Mulkey at MiLaysia Fulwiley’s career night against Ole Miss

“God bless this kid with speed. I wouldn’t want to be on the floor with her because when she takes off, it’s better to go into high gear. She’ll find you and a lot of times, honestly, she’s looking to pass too much. She has to get to the rim, finish and foul.”

Advertisement

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Do you have questions about LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey Details LSU Women’s Basketball Comeback Win Over Ole Miss