Kim Mulkey consoles emotional Savannah Wheeler following eliminating Middle Tennessee, Sweet 16 berth
The defending nation champion LSU Tigers did not look like themselves in the first half of Sunday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Middle Tennessee State, finding themselves down 36-32 at halftime before putting their foot on the gas in the second half. Defeating the Blue Raiders 83-56 thanks to their second half surge, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for a second straight season.
Emotions were running high for MTSU following their heartbreaking elimination loss, including for star senior guard Savannah Wheeler.
Wheeler was seen after the game with tears in her eyes as both teams shook hands. But LSU head coach Kim Mulkey wiped those tears and shared some words of encouragement following the final collegiate game of her career in a moment that was captured below.
Wheeler matched LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson‘s game-high 21 points in Sunday’s matchup, but it wouldn’t be enough for MTSU despite being up by as many as nine points in the first half. With three of the Blue Raiders’ five starters eventually fouling out in their second half collapse.
She was named Conference-USA Player of the Year this season after leading the league in points, assists, and minutes per game, averaging an impressive 17.4 points and 5.0 assists in her 38.1 minutes per game, which ranked third across women’s basketball this season. Helping lead Middle Tennessee State to a perfect undefeated record in regular season conference play and the CUSA Tournament to take home the conference regular season and tournament titles.
MTSU came back from 18 points to upset No. 6 seed Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where Wheeler scored 20 second-half points. But the tables turned on Sunday when LSU was able to storm from behind to secure the win.
Along with Johnson, Angel Reese also played a major impact in LSU’s win. Ending the game with 20 points (16 in the second half), 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Marking her 14th consecutive double-double and her eighth straight in NCAA Tournament play, which is the third-longest streak by any player in the last 25 years.
Mulkey made some harsh comments prior to Sunday’s game in response to a rumored Washington Post article, but after the game showed a softer side toward Wheeler in a commendable act of sportsmanship. As the Tigers will face the winner of Creighton and UCLA‘s second-round matchup in the Sweet Sixteen.