Kim Mulkey says this coaching decision allowed LSU to rally v Ole Miss

The decision that Kim Mulkey felt ultimately won LSU women’s basketball the game over Ole Miss, she initially thought it may have been too late.

Ole Miss led the Tigers, 69-59, with 6:24 remaining. The shift to a bigger lineup that featured senior Amiya Joyner and sophomore Kate Koval inside coupled with throwing different defenders and looks at Rebels’ leading scorer Cotie McMahon sparked the comeback. LSU went on a 19-1 run to close out the game and survive, 78-70, inside Sandy and John Black Pavilion Thursday night.

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With the victory, LSU (23-4, 9-4) has grabbed sole possession of fourth place in the Southeastern Conference standings, meaning it’s in the driver’s seat for the double bye at the conference tournament in a couple of weeks.

MORE LSU WBB COVERAGE LSU women’s basketball storms back, escapes Ole Miss – Game Highlights

Junior star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley turned in a career high 26 points, scoring 22 in the second half to help will the Tigers to the rally over Ole Miss (21-7, 8-5).

Kim Mulkey on the coaching decision that allowed LSU women’s basketball to rally vs Ole Miss

“I think a decision we made as a staff to go big was very effective. I just thought there were taking my two young freshmen off the drive and that’s why I didn’t go big thinking that, you know, they could move laterally a little bit better. What was killing us was second, third shots and I thought Kate and (Joyner) were just solid together. That was a big decision and I’m not sure I ever thought I would do that in this game tonight. But I did and it worked.”

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Kim Mulkey on what LSU did differently defensively on Cotie McMahon

“We mixed it up. We went to that 3-2 zone. Might have stayed in it a little too long. They hit some three’s when we were in it and then we went back man, just trying to mix it up a little bit. Keep her off balanced. She’s so explosive and so powerful and with that, she just is just so quick. We threw different people at her. (Fulwiley) was on her one minute and got a couple of steals, then Jada (Richard) and Bella (Hines), Mikaylah (Williams), anybody we could. Giving her different bodies to look at. You’re not going to guard her 1-on-1. We made sure when she turned a corner, somebody else is there to help.”

Kim Mulkey on MiLaysia Fulwiley’s career night vs Ole Miss

“God bless this child with speed. I wouldn’t want to be on the floor with her because when she takes off, you better put it in high gear. She’ll find you and a lot of times, honestly, she looks to pass too much. She needs to get to the rim and finish and draw fouls.”

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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey details LSU women’s basketball comeback win over Ole Miss