“You can’t walk around feeling sorry for yourself”: Kim Mulkey gives LSU’s Mikaylah Williams blunt reality check after forgetful night
Mikaylah Williams had a disappointing outing as No. 7 LSU preserved its unbeaten record this season, narrowly defeating Washington 68-67 in the first round of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship on Monday. The Tigers were trailing 48-52 after the first three quarters before amassing 20 points in the final quarter, compared to the Huskies' 15.
However LSU's star point guard Mikaylah Williams had an outing to forget as she went pointless throughout the match held at the Baha Mar Convention Center. The team's coach Kim Mulkey talked about Williams' performance after the game, and urged the 19-year-old to move on and focus on the next fixture.
"This game has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But guess what? You move to the next game and our next game is against a Final Four opponent. You just have to flush it and let it go," Mulkey said.
"You can’t walk around pouting. You can’t walk around feeling sorry about yourself. You celebrate with your team and she does. She’s a competitor and she’ll figure it out. I’m glad Mikaylah Williams is at LSU playing for me," she added.
Mikaylah Williams fires blanks in LSU's Bahamas opener
Williams struggled mightily against the Huskies, going scoreless in 23 minutes of action. She shot 0-for-9 from the field and missed all three of her attempts from the 3-point area. She finished the game with four rebounds and two assists.
Williams headed to the Bahamas in fine form, averaging 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. She scored a season-high 25 points in LSU's win over Charleston Southern.
Kailyn Gilbert and Flau'jae Johnson star with their late-game heroics
The good news for Mulkey is that other players stepped up amid Williams' struggles. Kailyn Gilbert delivered off the bench, scoring eight points, including the game-winning layup with 1.6 seconds left.
Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow each scored 19 points while Sa'Myah Smith added 16 for LSU.
The Tigers had to dig deep to extend their winning streak. They outscored the Huskies 42-31 in the second half to erase a 10-point deficit at the break.
Gilbert completed the comeback for LSU with her late basket after Johnson saved the loose ball from going to the backcourt. Gilbert sealed the win with a steal on Washington's final play.