LSU vs. South Carolina: Gamecocks Win 76-70 in Thriller

BATON ROUGE, La. – In a captivating SEC showdown, the South Carolina Gamecocks outlasted the LSU Tigers in a thrilling 76-70 victory on Thursday night. Despite trailing for most of the game, the top-ranked Gamecocks rallied behind heroic plays and clutch performances to secure the hard-fought win.

Bree Hall’s Heroics Lead South Carolina

Bree Hall emerged as the heroine for South Carolina, delivering two crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes of the game. With the score tied at 70-70 and just over a minute remaining, Hall calmly sank a corner three to give the Gamecocks a 73-70 lead. She then stepped up again with 24 seconds left, driving to the basket and drawing a foul. Hall calmly sank both free throws to seal the win for South Carolina.

South Carolina’s Balanced Attack Shines

The Gamecocks’ victory was a testament to their balanced scoring attack. Seven players contributed six points or more, led by Chloe Kitts’ 14 points. Kamilla Cardoso added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Raven Johnson chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

LSU’s Strong Start and Angel Reese’s Absence

LSU controlled much of the game, building an 11-point lead in the first half. The Tigers were led by Angel Reese, who had 15 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with 4:02 remaining in the game. Reese’s absence proved costly for LSU, as South Carolina took advantage and closed the game with an 11-3 run.

Kim Mulkey Acknowledges Turning Point

LSU coach Kim Mulkey acknowledged that Reese’s foul-out was a significant turning point in the game. She praised South Carolina’s resilience and determination, saying, “We’re gonna play for 40 minutes, no matter if we’re down double-digits or up double-digits, we’re going to try to figure out ways to close the gap.”

Dawn Staley Praises Raven Johnson’s Game-Winning Play

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley lauded Raven Johnson’s performance, particularly her game-sealing layup. Staley said, “It was huge to get Angel out of the game. … She went through her options, and then put her head down and made a play. She puts so much into the game, I’m glad the game found a way to repay her in that moment.”

Implications for the SEC Tournament

The victory gives South Carolina a crucial win over a top-10 opponent and solidifies their position as the SEC frontrunner. The Gamecocks and Tigers are likely to meet again in the SEC Tournament, where the stakes will be even higher.

Additional Highlights

• LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson agreed with Staley’s assessment that losing Reese hurt the Tigers, saying, “That was a big hit for us. Four minutes left, that’s too much time, too much time to not have Angel Reese on the floor, she’s so experienced.”
• South Carolina won the battle of the boards 39-37, despite LSU’s dominance in rebounding for most of the game.
• The game was played in front of a packed house of 13,205 fans, creating an electric atmosphere.
• The victory improves South Carolina’s record to 18-0, while LSU falls to 18-3.

Conclusion

The South Carolina Gamecocks demonstrated their resilience and depth in their hard-fought win over the LSU Tigers. Bree Hall’s clutch three-pointers and South Carolina’s balanced scoring attack proved to be the difference in the game. While LSU played well and had a strong showing from Angel Reese, her absence in the final minutes proved costly. The victory sets the stage for a potential rematch between these two teams in the SEC Tournament.

Call to Action:

Who do you think will come out on top if South Carolina and LSU meet again in the SEC Tournament? Share your predictions and join the conversation in the comments below!