Game Summary
BATON ROUGE, LA — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday evening, the No. 3 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks triumphed over the No. 6 LSU Tigers with a score of 79-72, marking their 18th consecutive victory against their rivals. Tessa Johnson was a standout performer, netting 21 points for South Carolina.
Key Moments
As the game wound down, the Tigers were in striking distance, trailing narrowly at 73-72 with just under a minute to play. However, Flau’jae Johnson‘s missed free throws proved costly, thwarting LSU’s opportunity to seize a one-point lead.
South Carolina, boasting a record of 25-2 and an impressive 11-1 in SEC play, seized control late in the game. Madina Okot scored crucial points, including a layup with just over 25 seconds to go, followed by two essential free throws with 16 seconds left, contributing to a decisive six-point run that sealed the victory.
Player Highlights
Raven Johnson supported the team’s effort with 19 points, while Okot achieved a double-double with 12 points and an impressive 17 rebounds. Joyce Edwards also contributed with 10 points. On the other side, LSU’s leading scorer, Johnson, matched Tessa’s total of 21 points, with Mikaylah Williams adding 11.
Game Analysis
The Tigers had multiple opportunities to capitalize but struggled throughout the game, notably missing 10 layups along with nine free throws. Despite controlling the scoreboard early on, leading by five points several times in the second quarter, they only managed to lead for a mere 4 minutes and 9 seconds in the first half. South Carolina flipped a 21-16 deficit after the first quarter into a slim 41-40 lead by halftime, aided by a strong shooting performance that included 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second period, where Tessa Johnson alone contributed 11 points.
The third quarter began poorly for LSU, who missed eight of their first 11 attempts, allowing South Carolina to extend their lead to 50-42 with a 9-2 run. The Tigers’ reserves, Bella Hines and Jada Richard, sparked brief rallies to cut the Gamecocks’ lead to three points on two occasions, but South Carolina ended the quarter with a 60-55 advantage.
A series of layups by LSU, two of which came from Flau’jae Johnson, forced a timeout for the Gamecocks with just over three minutes remaining and a narrow lead of 69-68. Nonetheless, South Carolina maintained control throughout and never relinquished their lead.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, South Carolina prepares to face No. 23 Alabama next Thursday, while LSU heads to No. 16 Ole Miss on the same day.
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