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LSU Women’s Basketball Journey Comes to an End
The captivating saga of LSU women’s basketball, which spanned a year, has concluded. The defending national champion Tigers, attaining a 31-6 record, narrowly missed a return to the Final Four, succumbing to Iowa with a score of 94-87. This defeat transpired nearly a year following their victory over the Hawkeyes and standout player Caitlin Clark in securing the championship.
Throughout this remarkable journey, coach Kim Mulkey and her team garnered attention both on and off the court, emblematic of a bold new era of college stars. Among these luminaries stands Angel Reese, a stellar forward at 6-foot-3. Despite an ankle sprain during the initial half, Reese delivered an outstanding performance, accumulating 17 points, 20 rebounds, and four assists.
Reflecting on the tumultuous episodes she encountered since her emergence as a prominent figure in last year’s tournament, Reese’s sentiments were poignant. With introspection and resilience, she expressed, “I’ve been through so much…I’ve been attacked so many times, received death threats, been sexualized, and threatened. But each time, I remained steadfast.”
The Resilient Spirit of Angel Reese
Reese’s unwavering resilience is exemplified in her response to adversity, encapsulating the essence of a tenacious athlete grappling with scrutiny while maintaining composure.
Subsequent to a season-opening defeat against No. 3 Colorado in Las Vegas, Reese faced suspension from Mulkey for four games due to unspecified conduct. The team encountered the departure of key players from the championship-winning squad, necessitating the integration of new talent such as Mikaylah Williams, Hailey Van Lith from Louisville, and Aneesah Morrow from DePaul, to rebuild for the future.
Van Lith, reflecting on Reese’s enduring fortitude, shared, “I’ve never seen people wish bad things on someone as much as her, and it does not affect her…That’s the key to life right there.”
Despite the setbacks, LSU regrouped and delivered a commendable season, culminating in a defeat to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament final. The team entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed with aspirations of securing back-to-back championships, a feat unachieved since UConn’s dominance in 2016.
Mulkey, a polarizing figure in the realm of college basketball, encountered controversies during the season, notably contesting media narratives that depicted her players in an unfavorable light. Nevertheless, she emphasized the transformative impact her team had on women’s basketball, fostering positive change and leaving an indelible mark in the sport.
Reflections and Aspirations
Looking ahead, the players are poised to embrace the lessons learned from the recent defeat, with sophomore guard Flau’jae Johnson expressing gratitude for the invaluable experiences gained. Johnson articulated, “It’s not all the time you get to see players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese…I’m just blessed.”
Mulkey echoed sentiments of pride and optimism for the future of women’s basketball, underscoring the monumental strides taken by her team. Reflecting on the transformative journey, Mulkey concluded, “I can’t describe to you how good it is right now in women’s basketball…Sure was good for an Elite Eight game.”
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