COLUMBIA, S.C. — In an intense match, the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks triumphed over the fifth-ranked LSU Tigers with a score of 66-56 on Friday night, marking an end to LSU’s undefeated season. Joyce Edwards was instrumental in the victory, contributing 14 points, while Sania Feagin added 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. This win marks the Gamecocks’ 17th consecutive victory against LSU, extending their dominance even under new coach Kim Mulkey, who has yet to claim a win over South Carolina since taking the reins at LSU.
The highly anticipated game was rescheduled from its original Thursday slot due to a winter storm and showcased the excitement expected from these top-tier teams, both of which have claimed national titles in the last three seasons. LSU’s Aneesah Morrow led her team with a double-double, posting 15 points along with 16 rebounds, while Flau’jae Johnson had 13 points.
South Carolina built a substantial 10-point lead during the third quarter, and LSU struggled to mount a comeback. As a result of this loss, the only remaining unbeaten team in the nation is No. 1 UCLA, which is also the sole team to have defeated South Carolina this season. The Gamecocks have extended their home winning streak to 69 games and have not lost in 54 straight SEC regular-season matchups.
During the game, South Carolina effectively limited LSU’s offense, allowing only a 5-for-20 shooting performance in the third quarter. LSU’s top scorer, Johnson, managed to score just two points in the entire second half, illustrating the Gamecocks’ defensive prowess.
An important moment came when Te’Hina Paopao’s basket gave South Carolina a 41-35 lead, followed by two quick turnovers by LSU that resulted in easy points for South Carolina, further padding their lead in the third quarter.
In terms of key statistics, South Carolina showcased their strong defense with an impressive total of 13 steals and 11 blocks against the Tigers.
Looking ahead, LSU will face Texas A&M this Sunday, while South Carolina is scheduled to play at Tennessee on Monday.
