BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — South Carolina women’s basketball continued its remarkable dominance over LSU on February 14, securing a 79–72 win inside a packed Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The victory marked the Gamecocks’ 18th consecutive triumph in the rivalry and further strengthened their position among the nation’s elite teams this season.
The No. 3 Gamecocks improved to 25-1 overall and 10-1 in SEC play after overcoming a late surge from the No. 6 Tigers, who fell to 22-4 overall and 8-4 in conference competition.
Johnson Duo Leads South Carolina Charge
Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson played pivotal roles in the win, combining for 40 points and providing consistent offensive momentum throughout the contest. Their scoring proved crucial during key stretches when LSU threatened to take control.
Despite trailing early, South Carolina steadily found rhythm on both ends of the floor. Strong defensive possessions and improved shot selection allowed the Gamecocks to erase deficits and eventually take command in the closing minutes.
Late Drama Decides the Game
LSU nearly completed a comeback late in the fourth quarter. Flau’Jae Johnson hit a clutch jumper that cut the Gamecocks’ lead to just one point with under a minute remaining. Moments later, she was fouled with LSU trailing 73-72 and had an opportunity to give the Tigers the advantage.
However, she missed both free throws, a turning point that shifted momentum back to South Carolina.
Madina Okot then delivered one of the game’s biggest sequences. The forward grabbed rebounds all night and finished with 17 boards alongside 12 points. With just over 25 seconds left, she scored a key layup to extend the lead and calmly converted two free throws shortly afterward, sealing the victory.
Coaching Milestone for Dawn Staley
The win carried extra significance for South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, who recorded her 500th career victory since taking over the program in 2008. Staley also improved her impressive record against LSU coach Kim Mulkey, moving to 6-0 against Mulkey since her arrival at LSU and 7-2 overall in their coaching matchups.
Mulkey previously coached at Baylor, where she earned multiple wins against South Carolina before Staley’s program rose to national prominence.
Game Flow: Momentum Swings Throughout
LSU started strong, leading 21-16 after the first quarter as South Carolina struggled to finish early scoring opportunities near the basket. The Gamecocks shot poorly on layups during the opening period, allowing the Tigers to control the tempo.
The second quarter shifted momentum. South Carolina outscored LSU 25-19 behind efficient scoring from Tessa Johnson, whose perimeter shooting helped the Gamecocks take a narrow 41-40 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, South Carolina tightened its defense and held LSU scoreless for several minutes. The Gamecocks won the period 19-15, entering the final quarter with a five-point advantage that ultimately proved decisive.
Key Performances and Challenges
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards contributed 10 points before fouling out late in the game. Both teams dealt with foul trouble as officials became more active in the second half after a lightly officiated opening quarter.
LSU’s offense relied heavily on Flau’Jae Johnson, who led the Tigers in scoring and kept the home crowd energized throughout the contest.
Historic Coaching Rivalry
The matchup showcased two of women’s college basketball’s most successful coaches. Mulkey owns four national championships — three from her time at Baylor and one with LSU — while Staley has captured three titles at South Carolina, including recent championships that helped solidify the Gamecocks as a modern powerhouse.
Since 2000, only a handful of coaches have consistently claimed NCAA titles, with Staley and Mulkey accounting for a significant share of those championships.
Injury Updates Impact Rosters
South Carolina continues to compete despite key absences. Starting forward Chloe Kitts remains out for the season after suffering an ACL injury, while Ashlyn Watkins is also sidelined after choosing to step away from basketball following her own injury recovery.
Even with roster challenges, the Gamecocks have maintained depth and resilience, qualities that have defined their successful campaign.
Why This Win Matters
The victory reinforces South Carolina’s dominance in the SEC and strengthens its résumé as postseason play approaches. Winning on the road against a top-10 opponent demonstrates the team’s championship potential and ability to handle high-pressure environments.
For LSU, the narrow loss highlights both promise and missed opportunities. The Tigers proved they can compete with the nation’s best but will need sharper execution in crucial moments moving forward.
Final Takeaway
South Carolina’s latest win over LSU was more than another entry in the rivalry — it was a statement about consistency, composure, and championship mentality. With experienced leadership, clutch performances, and strong coaching guidance, the Gamecocks continue to set the standard in women’s college basketball as the season heads toward its most important stretch
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