South Carolina Pulls Away Late to Beat LSU 79-72 in Top-10 Bayou Matchup
South Carolina used a late surge from its backcourt to escape Baton Rouge with a 79-72 victory over sixth-ranked LSU Saturday night. The marquee SEC showdown at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center drew a raucous crowd and tightened an already competitive conference race.
Johnson duo fuels Gamecocks; Flau’jae Johnson leads LSU
The visiting guards combined for the bulk of the Gamecocks’ offense, contributing a combined 40 points that proved decisive down the stretch. LSU’s senior star Flau’jae Johnson carried the home attack, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds, while junior Mikaylah Williams added 11 points.
The game featured frequent lead changes and momentum swings. LSU closed the first quarter on a run to lead 21-16, and the Tigers took a 40-41 edge into halftime after a competitive second quarter. South Carolina, however, found more consistent scoring from its guards in the third and fourth quarters, gradually building a cushion that LSU could not overcome.
Game flow, atmosphere and what’s next for LSU
With 13, 200 fans in attendance, the atmosphere inside the Maravich Center was electric for the prime-time showdown. The two teams traded blows throughout the third quarter, but the Gamecocks closed the period up 60-55 and stretched the margin in the fourth when LSU’s attempts to rally fell short. LSU cut the game to one point multiple times late but could not complete the comeback.
Key moments included a third-quarter surge by the visitors that forced LSU to scramble defensively, and a handful of timely baskets and stops by the Gamecocks in the final five minutes that sealed the outcome. Sophomore Jada Richard provided late-game free-throw pressure and energy, but LSU’s depth did not generate enough scoring late to overtake the visitors.
The loss drops LSU to 22-4 overall and 8-4 in conference play, while the victors improve to 25-2 and 11-1 in league action. The Tigers will regroup on the road Thursday night in Oxford, with tipoff scheduled for 9: 00 p. m. ET against a conference rival. That game offers LSU an immediate chance to respond and reassert its position in a tightly contested SEC landscape.
Notes and outlook
Senior leadership was on display for LSU; Flau’jae Johnson’s production kept the Tigers close throughout and reinforced her role as the team’s primary scoring threat. Mikaylah Williams provided floor spacing and secondary scoring, but LSU will need more consistent contributions from its supporting cast to topple top-tier opponents in the stretch run.
Defensively, LSU struggled to contain perimeter shooting at critical stretches, which allowed South Carolina’s guards to create better looks and capitalize late. Attention now turns to adjustments by the coaching staff and how the Tigers will shore up defensive rotations and shot selection over the next week.
With postseason positioning in mind, every conference outing carries heightened importance. LSU heads into Thursday’s contest seeking a quick bounce-back and renewed momentum as the SEC season moves toward its final month.
