Kim Mulkey led the LSU Tigers to their third consecutive Elite Eight after a victory on Friday night but paused to comfort NC State players in the handshake line.

“Well, one of ’em, I know personally. Maddie Cox,” Mulkey said. “Her older sister [Lauren Cox] won a national championship for me at Baylor. So I’ve watched that young lady since she was – Maddie was 10, 12 years old. And she had a good game today. I know that family very well. And what I said to her was, ‘This is the part of the game none of us like, Maddie. Get your head up.’ She took it hard.

“Saniya Rivers, I told her what a great player she was.”

Rivers mentioned feeling appreciated by Mulkey, who recognized her efforts during the game. Another player, Madison Hayes expressed her emotions as this was her final college game, praising Mulkey as one of the best coaches.

Before the match, Mulkey greeted NC State’s Moore with warmth, and after the game, she continued to show her respect for the opposing coach, illustrating sportsmanship at its finest.