"You don't focus on those things": Kim Mulkey gets frank on LSU Tigers' "hump" going 0-5 vs Dawn Staley's South Carolina

Kim Mulkey's struggles against Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks continued on Friday, as the LSU Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season in a 66-56 loss at Colonial Life Arena. Mulkey remained winless against South Carolina since taking over as LSU coach in 2021, losing her five previous meetings with Staley.

Mulkey talked about that losing streak in the postgame press conference. A reporter asked the veteran coach her thoughts on how she and the Tigers could get over the hump against the second-ranked Gamecocks. Mulkey showed no signs of concern, focusing on the main prize instead.

"What is the hump? Beating them? Well, let me ask you this. What is the most important in sports?" Mulkey asked (timestamp 4:03).

"Winning national championships and conference championships or just beating a team you hadn’t beaten in the five times you played them? Which one’s the most important?"

The reporter answered Kim Mulkey's question, saying:

"Championship."

Mulkey agreed with his reply, saying:

"You dang right."

"This is the beginning of the fourth year of my tenure at LSU and if I ever put beating South Carolina as a priority over natties, they're too good to do that right now," Mulkey said (4:43).

"Dawn's been here 17 years but I do remember playing them when I was at Baylor when I had been there 17, 18, 19 years. You don't focus on those things, you focus on the bigger picture."

The LSU Tigers started the 2022-23 NCAA season with 23 consecutive victories before the South Carolina Gamecocks handed them their first loss. They shrugged off that defeat, beating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 in the 2023 national championship game to claim their first-ever NCAA title.

Kim Mulkey pays tribute to Dawn Staley after South Carolina hands LSU 1st loss

Kim Mulkey paid tribute to Dawn Staley and South Carolina after the game, calling the Gamecocks "the best in the country." They have won 14 straight games since losing to the top-ranked UCLA Bruins, with the Gamecocks improving their record to 19-1.

LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey disputes a call during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Photo: Imagn

The LSU Tigers, who entered the contest with a perfect 20-0 record, got off to a strong start, building a 20-13 lead in the first quarter. South Carolina battled back, however, finishing the second quarter on a 6-1 run to take a 33-30 lead at the break.

The Gamecocks created some separation in the third quarter, outscoring the fifth-ranked Tigers 18-11 during that period to take a 51-41 advantage entering the final period. South Carolina never looked back after that as it claimed its 17th consecutive win over LSU.

Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks' balanced attack with 14 points. She shot 5-for-11 from the field and 4-of-8 from the free-throw line. Aneesah Morrow posted another double-double for the Tigers, scoring 15 points and collecting 16 boards in a losing effort.