A historic women's basketball game on primetime television culminated in a decisive victory for South Carolina, who defeated LSU by a score of 79-72. The championship match, the first Saturday night game broadcast on ABC, saw South Carolina solidify its top ranking with a strong performance in a challenging away environment. This win marks South Carolina's eighteenth consecutive victory over LSU.
Game Overview and Key Moments
The highly anticipated contest featured significant plays from both teams, with South Carolina ultimately demonstrating greater resilience in the closing stages. Tessa Johnson, a junior for South Carolina, was instrumental in the first half, sinking four three-pointers, which was twice the total number of threes made by the entire LSU team during that period. Her scoring contributed significantly to South Carolina's first-half total of 41 points.
"For women’s basketball, it was the first-ever Saturday night game on primetime ABC. South Carolina junior Tessa Johnson, who knocked down four first-half triples — twice as many as LSU did all game — had the hot hand and scored 16 of the Gamecocks’ 41 first-half points."
LSU showed moments of strong offense, including a 9-0 run sparked by Van Lith. However, key missed shots, such as a three-point attempt by Aneesah Morrow and a three-point jumper by Raven Johnson for LSU, highlighted periods where offensive momentum faltered.
Incidents During the Game
The championship match was not without its contentious moments. A physical altercation occurred, leading to ejections. Specifically, Johnson (from LSU) bumped Ashlyn Watkins of South Carolina. In response, Cardoso of South Carolina is reported to have pushed Johnson to the ground. Later in the game, Fulwiley of South Carolina stole the ball from Flau’jae Johnson of LSU, who then committed a foul by holding Fulwiley.
"Johnson then bumped South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins, and the 6-foot-7 Cardoso rushed and pushed the 5-10 Johnson the ground. South Carolina (32-0) was ahead 73-66 when Fulwiley stole the ball from Flau’jae Johnson, who wrapped her up and was called for a foul."
Additionally, LSU's Mikaylah Williams, who had been sidelined due to a foot injury, returned to play. Poa of LSU sustained a concussion late in their semifinal game.
Team Performance and Historical Context
South Carolina, now with a record of 32-0, has consistently performed at a high level throughout the season. Their victory over LSU in the SEC Championship further cements their status as a top-ranked team. For LSU, this loss represents another instance of falling short against South Carolina, a trend that has been evident in their recent matchups.
The upcoming schedule for South Carolina includes several more games against ranked opponents, such as No. 23 Alabama, No. 14 Ole Miss, and No. 18 Kentucky, indicating a challenging path as they approach the end of their season.
The scoring summary highlights key plays and player contributions from both teams.
The incidents described provide a detailed account of the physical altercations during the match.
The historical context of South Carolina's dominance over LSU adds weight to the significance of this victory.
Expert Analysis
The game's broadcast on primetime ABC represents a significant milestone for women's college basketball, drawing a large audience for a high-stakes championship game. The intense nature of the competition, evidenced by the physical play and ejections, underscores the rivalry between these two prominent programs. Tessa Johnson's performance, particularly her three-point shooting in the first half, was a critical factor in establishing South Carolina's early advantage.
Conclusion
South Carolina secured the SEC Championship title with a hard-fought 79-72 victory over LSU. The game was characterized by intense play, significant individual performances, and moments of physical confrontation. South Carolina's consistent success against LSU, now extending to eighteen consecutive wins, highlights their sustained dominance. The championship win, broadcast on a prominent primetime slot, underscores the growing viewership and importance of women's college basketball.
Sources
The New York Times: Published: 5 hours ago. Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7047491/2026/02/15/south-carolina-beats-lsu-womens-basketball/
ESPN: Seen on: Bing. Link: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game//gameId/401629646/lsu-south-carolina
On3: Published: March 10, 2024. Link: https://www.on3.com/teams/lsu-tigers/news/lsu-falls-to-south-carolina-in-sec-championship-79-72/
WDSU: Published: March 10, 2024. Link: https://www.wdsu.com/article/no-1-south-carolina-wins-sec-tournament-over-no-8-lsu-79-72-in-game-marred-by-skirmish-ejections/60151454
