LSU Tigers women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey never shies away from speaking her mind. Her latest press conference is just an example of it.
Following No. 3 seed LSU’s loss to No. 1 seed UCLA in the Elite Eight, Mulkey found herself in a fiery exchange with a reporter. He attempted to frame her team’s exit as a disappointment. Instead of brushing off the remark, Mulkey flipped the conversation on its head with her wit.
Kim Mulkey’s Heated Exchange With a Reporter
During the postgame press conference at Spokane Arena in Washington, Mulkey faced a question that seemingly downplayed LSU’s achievements.
#LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey to reporter after Elite Eight loss to #UCLA: “How many Final Fours did you play in?” 😳 pic.twitter.com/spR8bS3mBk
— Spencer Brown (@j_spencerbrown) March 30, 2025
“Coach, it’s the second straight year you guys were eliminated in the Elite Eight.”
Mulkey quickly replied, “That’s terrible, isn’t it? Is that terrible, or is that good?”
Immediately, the reporter repeated her words and said, “Terrible.”
The LSU coach couldn’t stop herself from replying, “Is it? How many Final Fours have you played in?”
“None,” the reporter replied.
“So it’s probably pretty good, huh?” Mulkey quipped.
Mulkey’s response quickly made waves, with many appreciating her no-nonsense attitude.
On the court, the Tigers nearly mounted an impressive comeback after trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter.
With 3:24 remaining, LSU managed to cut with just three points, but UCLA sealed the victory with clutch free-throw shooting. The Bruins walked away with a 72-65 win, punching their ticket to the Final Four.
Aneesah Morrow, playing in her final collegiate game, fought hard for LSU. She recorded 15 points on 7-of-19 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds. Despite suffering a broken nose in the second half, she remained on the floor.
On the other side, UCLA’s 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts proved why she’s one of the most dominant post players in the nation. Betts finished the night with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks, providing a defensive presence that LSU struggled to overcome.
Kim Mulkey Shares Moment With UCLA Star Lauren Betts
After the game, Mulkey and Betts shared a moment at midcourt, exchanging a handshake and a few words.
Postgame hug between LSU coach Kim Mulkey and UCLA star Lauren Betts pic.twitter.com/fJSQ6tvGoO
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) March 30, 2025
Mulkey had previously spoken highly of Betts, acknowledging the challenge her team faced going up against a player of her caliber. Heading into the matchup, Betts was averaging 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, making her a pivotal piece of UCLA’s tournament run.
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For Betts, this victory was more than just another win—it marked her first Final Four appearance. After reaching the second round in her freshman season at Stanford and the Sweet 16 last year with UCLA, she finally broke through to college basketball’s biggest stage.
For LSU, falling short of another Final Four appearance may sting, but it’s also a testament to the high bar Mulkey has set for the program. In just her third year at the helm, she has transformed the Tigers into perennial contenders.
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