LSU women's basketball Kim Mulkey said star forward Angel Reese not playing in the second half in the team's 109-79 win over Kent State Tuesday afternoon was a "coach's decision."

Reese was in the starting lineup for the No. 7 Tigers (3-1) going up against the Golden Flashes (1-1) and played most of the first quarter and logged 13 minutes by halftime. But coming out of the break, Mulkey rolled with sophomore forward Aneesah Morrow down low.

Mulkey was asked to expound on her decision to sit Reese for the second half, as well as not play senior guard Kateri Poole — who was dressed on the bench — in the game but she declined.

"I could, but I won't," Mulkey said. "It was just a coach's decision."

Mulkey gave a quick "yeah" when the question was posed to her if it was a situation where she liked the lineup she had out there with Morrow and Sa'Myah Smith.

LSU plays next at Southeastern Louisiana (1-1) Friday (7 p.m., ESPN+).

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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey: 'coach's decision' to not play Angel Reese in 2nd half vs. Kent State