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DALLAS (AP) — Kim Mulkey returns to Louisiana hoping to bring LSU its first basketball championship.The Hall of Fame coach did it in just two years in school.
Her Tigers used a record offensive performance to win the first men’s or women’s basketball title in school history by beating Caitlin Clarke and Iowa 102-85 on Sunday.
“I turned around and looked at the Final Four banner[at my home arena]and nowhere did it say national champion,” Malkey said. “That’s what I came home for.”
The win made Mulkey the first female coach to win national titles at two different schools. She won her three at Baylor two years before she left for LSU.
“Coaches coach for life, but this is the fourth time I’ve been blessed,” Malkey said. “In the history of LSU basketball, no man or woman has ever played in a championship.”
A lively and glamorous outfit in glittery golden tiger stripes, Malky has won the third-most domestic titles behind Geno Auriemma’s 11 and Pat Summitt’s eight. has never lost a championship game.
“My tears are tears of joy,” she said. “So happy to be back in Louisiana for everyone.”
Clark, Associated Press Player of the Yearfailed to lead the Hawkeyes to their first domestic title despite one of the greatest individual results in NCAA Tournament history. Junior finished with 30 points. She scored her 40 in the semifinals and knocked out undefeated South Carolina. One game after she had her first 40-point triple-double In NCAA history of the Elite Eight.
The dazzling guard set the NCAA record for points in a tournament, beating the 177 scored by Sheryl Swoopes in 1993 and leading Texas Tech to the title. Clark finished the tournament with 191.
The 102 points surpassed the 97 points Texas scored against Southern California in 1986 and set a new all-time championship game record.
“This is the end of preaching defense and rebounding,” Mulkey said with a laugh.
Attending the game was Mrs. Jill Biden, who was sitting in a suite above the court with tennis great Billie Jean King.
Mulkey said he had yet to meet the first lady, but told the Associated Press that he would go if the team were invited to the White House.
Jasmine Carson had 22 points, Alexis Morris had 21 points and Angel Reese had 15 points and 10 rebounds for LSU (34-2).
“It’s not a one-man show here. If I’m down, the next guy’s up,” said Reese, who was honored as the Most Valuable Player in the Final Four. , everyone gets to step up all the time.”
Trailing 21 points early in the third quarter, Iowa started a 15-2 run with a hit from the outside, hit four 3-pointers and converted a 3-point play to make it 65-57. I got it within
The Hawkeyes (31-7) trailed 73-64 with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter when Clarke was called for a technical foul. After a foul call against her teammate, she slammed the ball to the floor. It counted as a personal foul for her, her fourth of the game.
“They thought it was very tight,” Clark said. “Throw the ball under the basket and foul him technically — sometimes that happens.”
Clark committed four fouls throughout the fourth quarter but could not get close to the Hawkeyes.
“They played really well and they were ready. They did a great job. I’m very proud of my team,” said Iowa coach Lisa Bruder. “It’s brutal. It’s really hard not being able to walk out of that locker room today and coach Monica (Chinano) and McKenna (Warnock) again. I’m so grateful for the season we had and I’m just going to start from there.” I don’t want to take anything away.”
Mulkey started crying after Katari Poole hit a 3-pointer in front of the LSU bench.
“I couldn’t stand it because it was like 1:30 left. It was very emotional,” Malkey said. “It’s not like me, but I knew we would endure this game and win. I don’t know what it was, but I lost it. Very touching and happy tears.” I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m doing it in my second year back home, or if it’s just the fact that I’m back home.”
Seconds later, after another LSU basket, Reese put his hand in front of his face in a “you can’t see me” gesture, pointing to his ring finger and taunting Clark.
As the final seconds ticked away, Malky and Reese embraced and began a wild celebration by the Tigers.
The game was tight for the first 15 minutes before Carson got hot from the outside. She made all six of her shots in the second quarter, including four of her 3-pointers. After one of them, she threw her hands in the air, which Malkey imitated on her side.
As a bonus, the grads had a shot just before the halftime buzzer sounded to give the Tigers a 59-42 lead at halftime.Most points scored in the first half It broke the record held by Tennessee since 1998.
LSU shot 58% from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including going 9-for-12 from behind the arc. The Tigers finished the game with his 54% shooting from the field, including 11 of his 17 3-pointers.
After scoring 16 points and five assists, Clark fouled for the third time in 3 minutes and 56 seconds, but it didn’t go over well for a packed house of over 19,000 fans.
Before Sunday, Carson was scoreless in five of the seven postseason games of her career.
“I won the national championship on the biggest stage possible in college, so I definitely think this is the game of my life,” Carson said. “When I woke up, I just wanted to win.” Defend, rebound, support, do whatever the team needs in this game.We scored a goal tonight and it pushed us and gave us momentum.”
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More AP coverage of March Madness: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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