Riley, White exchange words during game
Both point guards later issued apologies

NEW ORLEANS — Oklahoma State's Andrea Riley and LSU's Erica White met walking through the line for the post-game handshake Saturday, stopped and embraced.

They each called it a show of respect, even after the two had a heated verbal exchange during the game — one that ESPN cameras caught at least a part of, with Riley taking a slapping swipe at White.

What part White played in the moment isn't clear, although nothing severe was caught on tape.

Still, afterward, both players issued apologies for their actions.

"We're just two tough competitors, Riley and I,” White said. "What you saw was two really tough players go at it. We had a couple of words. You just saw two tough competitors lose their cool for a second.

"But I'm real embarrassed about it. That's not what we're about here at LSU. We pride ourselves as a classy program. So I want to apologize to the university, our fans and my family.”

Said Riley: "It was just a part of the game. I'm used to it. I like when two point guards go at it like that. She plays similar to me. She's feisty and she likes to play basketball and she likes to win.

"I didn't throw a punch. It was very physical out there. If I did do anything like that, I didn't mean to do it. I apologize if anything happened like that.”

White was unaware if Riley hit her, yet said she noticed contact on occasion.

"I definitely felt like I got hit out there a couple of times, I'm not going to lie,” White said. "But you know, at this level, people just want to win.

"I don't think it's personal, people just want to win that bad.”

Neither player elaborated on exactly what took place or what started it.

Both coaches downplayed the exchange as well.

"I thought it was two competitive kids playing ball,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor, who did say that the exchange got "too verbal.”

"I don't get into all that. Riley's a heckuva player. She had 28 points.”

Shortly after the players jawed at each other, Chancellor took White out of the game and addressed his senior point guard.

"I just told her that she needed to settle down,” Chancellor said. "We had been talking to her about this is about LSU and Oklahoma State and not Erica White and Andrea Riley.”

OSU coach Kurt Budke said: "I didn't see it. That's just two quick guards who are tough as nails going at each other.

"Those girls were just playing ball. I know nobody wants to do anything to embarrass the university.”

On Friday, White did take exception to comments Riley made during the team press conference, when the OSU sophomore questioned the importance of experience.

LSU has been to four straight Final Fours.

"It wasn't meant to be an insult or anything,” Riley said after the game.

During the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, television cameras caught Riley pushing a Texas player's face. Big 12 officials reviewed the play, however, and felt no action was necessary.