South Carolina tops LSU, eyes fourth straight SEC Tournament title

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Behind a career-high 22 points from point guard Raven Johnson, top-seeded South Carolina defeated No. 4 LSU 83-77 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson shot an impressive 9-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point land and also collected three rebounds and eight assists in the victory for the Gamecocks (31-2). South Carolina was also boosted by a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds from Joyce Edwards, 19 points from Ta’Niya Latson and 11 points from Tessa Johnson.

Playing against her former team, MiLaysia Fulwiley posted a season-high 24 points for LSU (27-5). Jada Richard added 17 points and Mikaylah Williams had 14 for the Tigers in what was their 19th consecutive loss to South Carolina.

LSU senior Flau’Jae Johnson struggled, finishing with six points on 1-of-8 shooting and five assists to three turnovers.

The Tigers led by four points at halftime, but the Gamecocks outscored them 23-14 in the third quarter, powered by 12 points from Raven Johnson. South Carolina also scored 15 points off 14 LSU turnovers and got 18 second-chance points off 13 offensive rebounds. Five of Madina Okot’s 13 rebounds came off the offensive glass.

South Carolina will play for the SEC Championship for the seventh consecutive year. They’ve lost just once in that stretch, on a buzzer-beater to Kentucky in 2022.

The Gamecocks will face the winner of the second semifinal between Texas and Ole Miss.

Third quarter: South Carolina 59, LSU 54

Raven Johnson scored 10 points in the third period to power the Gamecocks back in front of the Tigers. South Carolina trailed by four points at halftime, but outscored LSU 23-14 to retake the lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

Johnson has a career-best 22 points so far on 9-of-13 shooting and has swished four 3-pointers.

MiLaysia Fulwiley has 19 points for LSU, while Jada Richard has 14.

South Carolina has scored 14 second-chance points on 10 offensive rebounds.

Halftime: LSU 40, South Carolina 36

Against her former team, South Carolina, MiLaysia Fulwiley balled out in the second quarter of the SEC Tournament semifinals, scoring 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting to help LSU take a 40-36 lead at the break.

Fulwiley has 15 points off the bench so far. She’s playing well in the building where she won state championships in high school, and the past two SEC titles with South Carolina.

LSU opened the second period on a 12-4 run. Kim Mulkey’s side has also been boosted by the play of Amiya Joyner, who has seven points and seven rebounds.

The top-seeded Gamecocks are led by 13 points from Ta’Niya Latson and 10 points from Raven Johnson.

LSU is shooting just 1-of-9 from behind the arc, but is outscoring South Carolina 24-16 in the paint and has a 24-15 advantage in rebounding.

First quarter: South Carolina 21, LSU 17

The Gamecocks have an early lead over the Tigers in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina, thanks to their two lead guards.

Ta’Niya Latson has scored 10 points for South Carolina while Raven Johnson has 7. Latson is a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free throw line in front of a sold-out crowd at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Hampered by four turnovers and 0-of-3 shooting on 3-pointers, LSU has been powered by six points from Flau’Jae Johnson. Amiya Joyner leads all players in rebounds with five and LSU has an early 11-9 advantage on the glass.

Starting lineups: No. 4 LSU vs. No. 1 South Carolina

LSU Tigers starting lineup

Head coach: Kim Mulkey

South Carolina Gamecocks starting lineup

Head coach: Dawn Staley

What time is South Carolina vs. LSU?

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville)

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks face Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers in the semifinals of the SEC Women’s Tournament at 4:30 p.m. ET March 7 in Greenville, South Carolina.