GREENVILLE, S.C. – South Carolina senior guard Raven Johnson paced the third-ranked Gamecocks with 22 factors, lifting the highest general seed to an 83-77 win within the 2026 SEC Tournament semifinal contest inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday.
With the victory, South Carolina improved to 31-2 on the season and superior to the SEC Tournament championship recreation, whereas LSU dropped to 27-5 general.
LSU will await its NCAA Tournament determination on March 15 when Selection Sunday rolls round subsequent week. The present will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT. In the final projection, LSU was ranked No. 7 general (No. 2 seed).
LSU junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley led the Tigers’ scoring assault with 24 factors. Junior Mikaylah Williams and sophomore Jada Richard additionally had double figures in scoring with 14 and 17, respectively.
LSU and South Carolina obtained to the primary media timeout of the sport tied at 12-12. The Gamecocks would lead the shut of the quarter, 21-17. Five Tigers contributed to the scoring for LSU with senior Flau’jae Johnson main the way in which, scoring six within the opening stanza. On the opposite facet, guards Ta’Niya Latson (10) and Raven (7) led USC with 17 mixed factors of their 21 complete.
By the second quarter media timeout, LSU outscored the Gamecocks, 12-5, placing the Tigers forward by three with four-plus minutes remaining within the half. South Carolina responded within the again portion of the quarter, taking a 34-31 lead with below two minutes left. Down the stretch, LSU closed the primary half with a 9-2 scoring run that was punctuated by senior Amiya Joyner’s layup on the buzzer.
Fulwiley was the Tigers’ main scorer within the half, scoring 15 factors with one steal. LSU was in a position to outrebound the Gamecocks by 9 within the first 20 minutes.
South Carolina opened the second half on a 10-2 run to take the lead and push it to 4 factors with 5 minutes left within the quarter. The Tigers took a quick 42-41 lead halfway by means of, however the Gamecocks had been in a position to reply by outscoring LSU 18-12 within the final 5 minutes of the interval. South Carolina took the 59-54 benefit into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Fulwiley tied the sport at 63 on a made three-pointer. From there, USC took the lead and wouldn’t relinquish it, profitable 83-77.
