No. 2 South Carolina hands No. 5 LSU its first loss of the season, 66-56
🌟 No. 2 South Carolina hands No. 5 LSU its first loss of the season
The Gamecocks seal a 66-56 win in Columbia, GA, improving to 19-1 (7-0) and maintaining their undefeated record in SEC play. South Carolina hands LSU (20-1, 5-1) its first loss of the season with a dominant, all-around performance.
After taking control in the third quarter, the Gamecocks never looked back, building a lead that LSU couldn’t overcome. South Carolina’s defense was the difference-maker, shutting down LSU’s transition game and recording a season-high 11 blocks and 13 steals.
The Gamecocks shot 37.1% from the field, holding LSU to 29.9%. The Tigers, who average 90 points per game, were limited to just 56 points, marking their lowest-scoring output of the year.
That South Carolina defense is no joke 😤
— ESPN (@espn)
11 blocks and 13 steals vs. LSU 😯
South Carolina’s depth off the bench was key to the win. Freshman Joyce Edwards delivered 14 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block. Sophomores MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson combined for 17 points, providing a much-needed spark throughout the game.
Senior starter Sania Feagin also played a pivotal role, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks, impacting both ends of the floor.
This victory marks the Gamecocks' 17th straight win over LSU and extends their home win streak to 69 games.
🕖 South Carolina takes a timeout | 4Q - 0:41
Raven Johnson secures a defensive rebound, and Dawn Staley calls a timeout with the Gamecocks leading 64-56 late in the fourth.
🔝 Gamecocks pull ahead with under a minute to go | 4Q - 0:46
LSU's top scorer and rebounder, Aneesah Morrow, fouls out with less than a minute remaining. Raven Johnson steps to the line, sinking 1 of 2 free throws to push the Gamecocks' lead to 64-56. LSU calls a timeout.
🛑 Another LSU timeout | 4Q - 5:12
After LSU's Mikaylah Williams makes a jumper, the Tigers take another timeout. The Gamecocks extend their lead to 56-45.
🐅 LSU timeout | 4Q - 8:00
South Carolina’s Sania Feagin leads the Gamecocks with nine points, while Chloe Kitts adds seven to the scoreboard.
Here’s a look at how the teams are stacking up:
🚀 South Carolina takes off | 3Q ends, 51-41
The Gamecocks take control in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers to build a 10-point lead, 51-41. South Carolina racked up 18 points on 38.9% shooting, while their defense has been just as dominant, locking down LSU with solid coverage and minimal fouling.
⏲️ Official media timeout | 3Q - 4:29
Here are the current leaders for both teams:
🔥 Gamecocks claim largest lead | 3Q - 5:13
Te-Hina Paopao drove to the basket for a layup, pushing the Gamecocks' momentum. Moments later, Sania Feagin came up with a big steal, dishing an assist to Raven Johnson for another layup. The crowd erupted as Johnson stole LSU’s inbound pass on the next possession and finished with yet another layup. South Carolina's 8-0 run gave it the largest lead of the night at nine points, forcing LSU to take a timeout to regroup.
The Gamecocks lead 45-36.
WHAT A SEQUENCE 🤯
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)
THIS GAME IS ELECTRIC. x 🎥 ESPN /
🐓 South Carolina up at the half | 2Q ends, 33-30
As the clock wound down to halftime, South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley came up with a steal to snuff out any final LSU shot attempts. The Gamecocks have a three-point lead at the break, 33-30.
The Tigers are in the midst of a scoring drought, missing their last 12 shot attempts over the final 4:51 of the half. LSU has controlled the glass despite the cold stretch, holding a +9 rebounding advantage.
Here are the halftime stats:
🍿 All tied up at the break | 2Q - 4:59
It’s been a heated battle at Colonial Life Arena. With just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the game is tied at 29-29.
MiLaysia Fulwiley leads the Gamecocks with eight points, while Flau'jae Johnson is pacing the Tigers with 11.
Here’s a look at how the teams have stacked up so far:
😤 LSU takes lead | 1Q ends, 22-21
After a few early turnovers from both sides, LSU has managed to reclaim the lead at the end of the first quarter, 22-21.
The Tigers are shooting 50% from the field (10-20), with Flau’Jae Johnson leading the charge. She’s scored six points on 3-5 shooting and has already racked up two steals in the opening frame.
⚡️ Gamecocks up before the first media timeout | 1Q - 4:45
It’s been a back-and-forth battle from the start, but South Carolina has edged ahead with a five-point lead as we head into the timeout.
Gamecocks lead, 16-11.
Here’s a look at how the teams are stacking up early on:
🖐️ Starting five
🔥 Both teams gearing up
The Gamecocks and Tigers are dialed in and ready for tonight's highly anticipated matchup. With the stakes high, both teams are getting their final reps in, ready to leave it all on the court.
South Carolina 🐓
. locking in. 🔒📸
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)
LSU 🐅
Warming up for battle ⚔️🐅
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)
🕔 Countdown to tipoff
The countdown is on! krikya18.com's Autumn Johnson breaks down her keys to the game ahead of South Carolina and LSU's top-five clash.
TOP-5 MADNESS MATCHUP INCOMING 🍿 talks her Keys to the Game 🔑
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB)