Kim Caldwell's Tennessee Lady Vols lost to Kim Mulkey's LSU 89-87 in a high-stakes SEC clash at Food City Center on Thursday. Despite battling back from an 18-point deficit, Tennessee couldn’t complete the comeback, marking their second consecutive loss in conference play.
However, the night wasn’t only about basketball. A heartfelt moment between Mulkey and pregnant Caldwell became a highlight. Mulkey embraced Caldwell in a hug captured on video, which was posted on the X (formerly Twitter) account of Paige Dauer, with the caption:
"Kim Mulkey gifts #LadyVols’ Kim Caldwell a baby present pregame"
Fans quickly praised the video. One viewer said:
"That was a serious hug."
"That was nice of her. GO, " another comment reads
"That was classy of Coach Mulkey! Nice way to bring Coach Caldwell into the Conference," another fan tweeted
"Boss lady, " a fan tweeted
"Yeah Coach Mulkey!" another tweet read
"Classy gesture," someone else tweeted
"Very nice!" another tweet reads
The Lady Vols (13-2, 1-2 SEC) showcased their resilience against another top-10 opponent, building on their narrow one-point loss to No. 9 Oklahoma earlier in the week. Despite Tennessee’s relentless efforts, the No. 6 ranked LSU (18-0, 3-0 SEC) managed to fend off their push, maintaining their perfect season.
Kim Caldwell and Kim Mulkey's teams lead the fight
Tennessee’s Jewel Spear and Talaysia Cooper shone in the matchup, scoring 25 and 24 points, respectively. The duo played a critical role in chipping away at LSU’s lead. However, the Tigers countered with strong performances from Aneesah Morrow, who scored 23 points, Flau’Jae Johnson with 20 points, and Kailyn Gilbert, who added 22.
LSU dominated early on, establishing an 18-point lead in the second quarter. The Lady Vols gradually closed the gap in the second half. By the end of the third quarter, they had cut the deficit to just five, trailing 67-62.
The game came down to the wire, tied at 87-87 in the final seconds. Tennessee opted not to foul LSU on their last possession, forcing the Tigers to make a play. Gilbert delivered the decisive shot, putting LSU ahead. Tennessee had one final chance to respond, but they couldn’t convert.
The Lady Vols now look ahead to the rest of their schedule, starting with a road game against Arkansas on Jan. 12, broadcast on the SEC Network. Following that, Tennessee will return to Knoxville to host Mississippi State on Jan. 16. Both matchups present opportunities for the Lady Vols to regain their footing and secure crucial SEC victories.
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