Also stood by Hailey Van Lith amid criticism

Despite Angel Reese‘s offensive struggles in LSU‘s victory over Tennessee, coach Kim Mulkey defended her player. Reese shot just 4-for-18 from the field and scored 11 points, facing tough opposition from Tennessee’s frontcourt duo, Tamari Key and Rickea Jackson. The LSU star reached a milestone, becoming the sixth LSU player to surpass 2,000 career points.

During the game, Reese engaged in a notable exchange with a Tennessee player, displaying her competitive spirit.

“I think that we knew that coming in,” Mulkey said.

“I think it was just [Key’s] size altering shots. We did miss a lot of layups, but I will always give credit to the defense, so I think [their] size had a lot to do with Angel missing shots.”

Also backed Van Lith

Meanwhile, Hailey Van Lith‘s exceptional performance with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, without committing a turnover, contributed significantly to LSU’s win.

Coach Mulkey defended Van Lith against online criticism regarding her ability to lead the team’s offense effectively.

“Hailey’s taken a lot of criticism, and it needs to stop,” Mulkey said.

“She’s learning a new position. She’s on the top team in the country, the defending national champions.”

“She’s having to play the point guard, and today, she moved to the off-guard,” she continued. “She had zero, and you write that big, she had zero turnovers in almost 37 minutes of play. That’s the most important stat in my eyes.”

Despite Reese‘s struggles and Van Lith’s standout performance, LSU secured a 75-60 victory over Tennessee, showcasing the team’s resilience and depth.