The buildup suggested fireworks. The reality delivered something far more subdued.
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s much-anticipated first game against her former South Carolina teammates—hyped further by LSU’s decision to feature her on the game program in what can only be described as delightfully petty marketing—never evolved into the dramatic showdown many expected.
Competitive Spirit Without the Drama
Pregame interactions told one story: warm embraces between former teammates suggested no lingering bitterness. Yet once the ball was tipped, a different narrative emerged. Both teams clearly wanted to prove something to each other. In keeping with the Valentine’s Day timing, this was a battle to win the breakup.
South Carolina’s approach was physical and deliberate. The Gamecocks appeared to derive particular satisfaction from steering Fulwiley into bone-jarring screens throughout the contest, testing both her physical toughness and mental composure.
Fulwiley responded with tenacious defensive effort, harassing ball handlers and creating disruption in passing lanes. Her defensive intensity showcased the fearless competitor that made her a standout at South Carolina.
Offensive Struggles Undermine the Effort
Where Fulwiley shined defensively, she faltered on the offensive end. Her shot selection deteriorated as the game progressed, launching rushed attempts that had little chance of falling. Ball security issues compounded the problem, with careless turnovers disrupting LSU’s offensive rhythm at critical junctures.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s postgame assessment captured both Fulwiley’s potential and her inconsistency.
“I thought she did typical Fulwiley,” Mulkey said. “Give you some outstanding plays: stripped Raven early in the game, got some layups. Then she turned it over. That’s part of who she is. We’ve got to continue to make positives be pluses when she’s in the game and not minuses.”
The Final Numbers Tell a Muted Story
Fulwiley’s stat line reflected a player caught between brilliance and frustration: six points on an abysmal 1-8 shooting, four rebounds, three assists, four steals, and three turnovers across 24 minutes of action.
It was solid enough not to be embarrassing, yet far from the statement performance the occasion seemed to demand. For fans expecting a breakout showing—either vindication for LSU’s acquisition or regret for South Carolina’s loss—the result satisfied neither narrative.
The revenge game that wasn’t ultimately proved anticlimactic, a reminder that individual storylines rarely overcome the collective reality of competitive basketball. Fulwiley played, contributed defensively, struggled offensively, and watched her new team fall to her old one.
Perhaps that’s the most fitting outcome: no villain, no hero, just another game in a long season where the hype exceeded the reality.
