Gamecocks End Tigers’ Title Hopes in Greenville Thriller: The LSU Tigers women’s basketball team suffered a tough 83–77 defeat against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinal. The game was played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, where both teams battled in a high-intensity matchup.
Despite a strong effort from LSU and several impressive individual performances, South Carolina executed better in the closing minutes to secure the win and advance to the SEC Tournament Championship game.
For LSU, the defeat ends their conference tournament campaign. The team will now shift focus to the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where their seeding will be revealed on Selection Sunday.
Match Overview
| Match | LSU Tigers vs South Carolina Gamecocks |
|---|---|
| Tournament | SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament – Semifinal |
| Venue | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville |
| Final Score | South Carolina 83 – LSU 77 |
| LSU Record | 27–5 |
| South Carolina Record | 31–2 |
South Carolina’s “Big Three” Seal the Win
South Carolina’s victory was powered by a trio of standout players who stepped up in crucial moments of the game.
Senior guard Raven Johnson led the charge with an outstanding performance, finishing with 22 points and 7 assists. Her ability to control the tempo and create scoring opportunities proved vital in the final minutes.
She received strong support from:
- Joyce Edwards, who scored 18 points and grabbed important rebounds.
- Ta’Niya Latson, who added 19 points including key baskets late in the game.
The trio helped South Carolina maintain composure during the final stretch, ensuring the Gamecocks held onto their lead.
MiLaysia Fulwiley Shines for LSU
LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley delivered one of the most impressive performances of the night.
Coming off the bench, Fulwiley kept the Tigers competitive throughout the game with an energetic and aggressive display.
Fulwiley’s Key Stats
| Player | Points | Assists | Block | Steal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiLaysia Fulwiley | 24 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Her scoring ability and playmaking helped LSU remain within striking distance. However, the Tigers needed more offensive support in the final quarter.
Supporting Performances for LSU
While Fulwiley led the scoring effort, several LSU players contributed important minutes.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jada Richard | 17 | 5 | 4 |
| Mikaylah Williams | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Amiya Joyner | 9 | 11 | 0 |
| Flau’jae Johnson | 6 | 2 | 5 |
Fulwiley and Richard combined for 41 of LSU’s 77 points, highlighting their offensive impact.
However, inconsistent shooting from other key players made it difficult for LSU to maintain momentum during the second half.
Team Performance Comparison
| Team | FG% | 3PT | FT | Turnovers | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 44% | 7-21 (33%) | 10-12 (83%) | 14 | 38 |
| South Carolina | 44% | 7-17 (41%) | 12-15 (80%) | 9 | 39 |
Both teams shot nearly identical field-goal percentages, but South Carolina held advantages in several key areas:
- Better three-point efficiency
- Fewer turnovers
- Slight rebound edge
These small margins proved decisive in the closing minutes.
Turning Point of the Game
The match remained close deep into the fourth quarter. LSU’s last field goal came with 10 seconds remaining when Mikaylah Williams made a three-pointer to reduce the deficit to four points.
Moments later, Ta’Niya Latson scored a layup with six seconds left, extending South Carolina’s lead and effectively sealing the victory.
Historic Rivalry Continues
The matchup was another chapter in one of women’s college basketball’s most competitive rivalries.
With this victory, South Carolina has now won 19 consecutive games against LSU, continuing a streak that dates back to early 2022.
Despite LSU’s progress under head coach Kim Mulkey, a victory over South Carolina remains elusive for the Tigers.
Although the SEC Tournament run has ended, LSU still has a major opportunity ahead.
The Tigers are expected to receive a strong seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, with the official bracket to be revealed on Selection Sunday.
With a talented roster and explosive scoring options, LSU will look to regroup and make a deep run in March Madness.
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