- Mulkey admitted not having much of a defensive strategy to defend Clark
- Monday night’s highly anticipated showdown drew a record 9.9 million viewers.
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LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey had nothing but praise for Iowa star guard Caitlin Clark after the Lady Hawkeyes defeated the reigning national champions.
When asked about his team’s defensive tactics in defending Clark, who scored 41 points against the Lady Tigers, after a 94-87 loss to Iowa on Monday night in Albany, New York, Mulkey admitted to having no “a lot of strategy,” and he added. that ‘you have to protect her, no one else seems to be able to protect her.’
“We didn’t even defend her last year when we beat them,” he joked before giving the Iowa star flowers.
“She’s just a generational player and she just makes everyone around her better,” Mulkey said, adding, “That’s what the greats do.” I think they had a girl who was 21 and 18, she had 12 assists. Caitlin Clark is not going to beat you alone… It’s what she does to make those other teammates better that helps her score points and helps them score points to beat you.
‘What did I say to him (after the game)? I said I’m glad you’re leaving. I said, girl, you’re something else. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Lady Tigers coach Kim Mulkey had nothing but praise for Caitlin Clark after LSU’s loss to Iowa.
Clark avenged last year’s NCAA title game with 41 points and 12 assists in Iowa’s 94-87 victory on Monday.
Clark, whose record-breaking exploits have brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball, hit nine 3-pointers (27 points) as part of her double-double display in revenge for her team’s loss to LSU in the Tournament title game. from last year’s NCAA.
“It’s amazing to be back in the Final Four. It’s really hard to get back there,” Clark said. “This region was really difficult, but we told ourselves that we are the only seed for a reason.”
Top-seeded Iowa (33-4) will play either UConn or Southern California in the national semifinals Friday night in Cleveland.
Monday’s highly anticipated showdown drew a record 9.9 million viewers.
Both teams would have liked this matchup to have come later in the tournament instead of a Final Four berth at stake, but that was out of their control.
Clark, who also scored 41 points in the regional final last year, and LSU’s Angel Reese put on a memorable show for the sold-out crowd and millions of viewers.
“I think it’s great for the sport to be a part of history. Like I said, no matter what tonight went, I know this was going to be a night for the ages,” said Reese, who had 17 points and 20 rebounds before being fouled out with 1:45 left. ‘And just being able to be a part of history is fantastic. “Playing against another great player, of course, is always incredible.”
Clark made nine shots from behind the arc against LSU, resulting in 27 points made from three-pointers.
Clark has already declared for this year’s WNBA draft. Reese will also have to make a decision on whether to turn pro or return for one more season.
With the game tied at 45 after an entertaining first half, Clark took charge in the third quarter. The NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader hit four 3-pointers, each one deeper than the last. His fourth quarter, from his trademark range, was 61-52. He was also the 538th of her career, making her the all-time leader in that category among NCAA Division I players, passing Oklahoma’s Taylor Robertson.
Clark also broke the NCAA Tournament assist record of 136 held by LSU’s Temeka Johnson. Clark has 140. He tied Purdue’s Courtney Moses in 2012 and UConn’s Kia Nurse in 2017 with his nine 3-pointers.
‘My shot felt good in warm-ups. It helps when you make your first 3 as a shooter,” Clark said. “I scored my first goal at the beginning of the second half, that also helps.” It’s nice to have a game where I got some good 3″ looks.