ANGEL REESE catches a pass just beyond the free throw line, steps into the shot, and sends it over South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso’s outstretched hand. The LSU standout sinks a jumper — not the type of bucket she’s known for — to tie the SEC championship game earlier this month. She holds her follow-through while backpedaling down the court.
Reese brawls with Cardoso on the other end of the floor in Greenville, South Carolina. As Cardoso turns to try to prop Reese up, she pushes her forearm into Cardoso’s back. Cardoso disengages, and Reese begins speaking. And keeps chatting. She glares at Cardoso and nods. Cardoso smiles and bumps her way back into the lane. Reese keeps pushing forward anneesah morrow makes a steal and sprints for a breakaway layup.
Reese vs. Cardoso is only getting started.
Halfway through the second quarter, Flau’jae Johnson takes a 3-pointer from the wing, and Cardoso turns around to box out Reese. Reese, quick on her feet, sees the ball approaching the rim and rotates away from Cardoso. When the ball goes through the net, Reese extends her left arm, takes a fistful of Cardoso’s hair, and tugs as she trots away.
During the next LSU possession, Reese cuts into the lane and goes for the block. Cardoso shoves her in the back with both of his hands. Reese pivots and fires an elbow at Cardoso’s face. Reese is called for an offensive foul, which is escalated to intentional. This is her second foul of the game. She goes to the bench
With just over four minutes remaining in the game and South Carolina leading by one, Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson draws up for a jumper. Reese, tangled up with Cardoso, reaches out a hand to contest. Cardoso tries to avoid Reese, but she hits her in the mouth with her arm and bursts her lip.
Cardoso’s lip is still bleeding two minutes later when she body checks Flau’jae Johnson near half court, causing a scuffle. Cardoso is expelled, along with practically the entire bench of both sides, as players rush to the action. Reese, the newly crowned SEC Player of the Year, stands off to the side. She never participates in the scuffle. Instead, she limps to the conclusion.
“As a person at my STATUS, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations,” Reese wrote on X following LSU’s 79-72 loss. “Mind you, the play before that, I rolled my ankle AGAIN and was already headed to the bench. I always ride for mine. I’m extremely proud of this team and very thrilled for March.”
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