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The shot went in, and for a moment, everything around LSU just stopped.
Seconds later, Kim Mulkey was already facing a very different kind of pressure.
The LSU Tigers saw their season end Friday night with an 87-85 loss to Duke in March Madness, decided by a last-second three-pointer from Ashlon Jackson.
It was the kind of finish that stays with a team. But the conversation quickly shifted away from the game.
Mulkey didn't wait long to address it. "I'm not retiring. Do I look that bad?" she said, cutting straight through the speculation.
A season that built expectations and ended in an instant
This wasn't just any loss. LSU came into the tournament with a 29-6 record and had climbed as high as No. 5 in the Associated Press rankings. Since Mulkey arrived in Baton Rouge, the program has consistently been in the national conversation, highlighted by the 2023 national championship.
That context made Friday night feel heavier. LSU had control late, then suddenly didn't. One possession changed everything.
After the game, Mulkey spoke about her players first, acknowledging the moment without trying to soften it. "Nothing I say is going to make them feel better in the moment," she admitted. It was a reminder of how quickly things turn in March.
Her response to retirement questions carried a different tone. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty. At 63, she made it clear she still sees herself firmly in the game.
Her résumé backs that up. According to the NCAA, she is the only person in women's college basketball to win national titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Change is coming, but LSU is not starting over
Even with the loss, this isn't a program heading into a rebuild. LSU remains one of the most competitive teams in the country, and that hasn't changed overnight.
There will be movement. Assistant coach Gary Redus II has taken the head coaching job at Rutgers, bringing Daphne Mitchell with him. On the roster side, Flau'jae Johnson is expected to enter the WNBA Draft, which will leave a noticeable gap.
Still, there is continuity. Players like MiLaysia Fulwiley could return, giving LSU a core to build around rather than replace entirely.
Around the sport, Mulkey's comments have been interpreted as a signal of stability. While other veteran coaches have stepped away in recent seasons, she is leaning in the opposite direction.
Looking ahead without stepping back
Mulkey didn't spend much time reflecting publicly on the loss. Instead, she moved quickly to what comes next.
She plans to hire two assistant coaches soon and target two or three players through the transfer portal. The focus is already on staying competitive right away.
There was also a brief personal moment mixed into it all. Mulkey mentioned she would finally get time to see her grandchildren, who had traveled in but arrived too late to watch the game. It was a small pause before returning to work.
The loss in Sacramento will linger for LSU. Mulkey's response, though, leaves little room for interpretation.
"Put it out there... not retiring."
Sources: This article is based on postgame statements from Kim Mulkey, official game results, and season data reported by the Associated Press and NCAA records. All information has been verified against publicly available reports and statistics.