No. 3 South Carolina beats No. 6 LSU 79-72, extending winning streak against the Tigers to 18 games

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No. 3 South Carolina continued their dominance over No. 6 LSU with a hard-fought 79-72 victory on Saturday night in Baton Rouge. The Gamecocks extended their winning streak over the Tigers to 18 games, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Tessa Johnson, who led the team with 21 points.

In a close contest that came down to the wire, LSU had a chance to take the lead late in the game, but Flau’jae Johnson missed two crucial free throws. South Carolina capitalized on the missed opportunity and closed out the game with six straight points, securing the win.

Raven Johnson also had a strong showing for the Gamecocks, contributing 19 points, while Madina Okot recorded a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Joyce Edwards added 10 points to help South Carolina seal the victory.

On the LSU side, Johnson led the team with 21 points, and Mikaylah Williams chipped in with 11 points. Despite their efforts, the Tigers struggled to convert on key opportunities, missing 10 layups and nine free throws throughout the game.

South Carolina found themselves trailing for much of the first half but managed to turn the tide in the second quarter, taking a slim lead heading into halftime. The Gamecocks relied on their sharpshooting from beyond the arc, with Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson combining for 19 points in the second period.

In the second half, LSU struggled to find their rhythm offensively, allowing South Carolina to build a lead and maintain control down the stretch. The Gamecocks’ strong defensive effort and timely scoring proved to be the difference in a closely contested matchup.

Looking ahead, South Carolina will face off against No. 23 Alabama, while LSU will take on No. 16 Ole Miss in their next respective matchups. The Gamecocks will look to carry their momentum from this win into their upcoming games as they continue their quest for a conference title.

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