No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 LSU 66–56 in Columbia on Friday, extending its home winning streak to 69 games and handing LSU its first loss of the season.
The game had been delayed from Wednesday due to Winter Storm Enzo, which kept the Tigers from flying out of Baton Rouge.
Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 14 points, while Sania Feagin added 12.
South Carolina had a balanced effort, with Tessa Johnson contributing nine points off the bench, MiLaysia Fulwiley scoring eight, and Chloe Kitts adding seven. With this win, South Carolina improved to 19-1, remaining undefeated in SEC play at 7-0.
The game started fast, with both teams exchanging baskets, but LSU led 22-21 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was more sluggish, with LSU missing its last 13 shots and scoring only eight points, its lowest of the season.
Despite the poor shooting, LSU was still close, trailing by just 33-30 at halftime, partly due to a strong 29-18 rebounding advantage, including 15 offensive boards.
South Carolina gained control in the third quarter, going on an 8–0 run, powered by Raven Johnson’s four points. Although LSU continued to dominate the boards, the Gamecocks’ key offensive rebounds led to additional points.
The quarter ended with South Carolina leading 51–41. LSU then went nine minutes without a field goal, and the Tigers struggled with their shooting, finishing the game shooting only 28% (18 of 65) from the field.
South Carolina’s defense was aggressive, totaling 13 steals and 11 blocks.
LSU’s Aneesah Morrow led her team with 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams added 13 points each.
The loss ended LSU’s 28-game regular-season winning streak, dating back to last season. LSU’s head coach, Kim Mulkey, praised South Carolina’s talent, saying, “I do think they’re the best in the country.
I don’t know if I’ve ever coached against a team that has 10 McDonald’s All-Americans on a roster.”
Next, South Carolina will travel to Knoxville to face No. 17 Tennessee on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. LSU will host Texas A&M on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
