Undefeated LSU entered Colonial Life Arena riding a 20-game winning streak and carrying a swagger befitting a team coached by one of the sport’s legends. But South Carolina, the defending national champions and the nation’s second-ranked team, simply have LSU’s (and Kim Mulkey’s) number. For the 17th consecutive time in the series and fifth straight time since Mulkey took the reins, Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks came out on top. This time around, it was USC’s suffocating defense and depth that proved to be the difference in a 66-56 victory, Friday.
South Carolina forced LSU into 17 turnovers and blocked 11 shots, limiting the fifth-ranked Tigers to 30% shooting. The Gamecocks weren’t much crisper offensively, shooting just 37%, but USC’s reserves outscored the LSU bench 31-2 to help Staley’s bunch pull away in the second half.
The winners of the last three national championships traded the lead 11 times in the first half before USC took control in the third quarter. LSU shot just 27% after halftime and suffered through a nine-minute drought without a field goal. By the time Mikaylah Williams’ jumper snapped the net with 5:13 to play, USC’s lead was double digits and the Gamecocks were cruising to their 69th straight home victory.
Joyce Edwards led South Carolina’s balanced attack with 14 points and three steals. Sania Feagin joined Edwards with double figures with 12 points to go with her game-high three blocks.
USC continues to befuddle LSU (20-1,5-1) and Mulkey as the Gamecocks have handed LSU two of its three losses dating back to Feb. 4th, 2024. The Tigers are 33-1 against all other competition in that span. Meanwhile, it looks as if South Carolina, now on a 14-game winning streak and sitting atop the conference standings, is poised to challenge for a fourth straight SEC regular season title.
South Carolina (19-1, 7-0) will look to extend that streak when it pays a visit to Tennessee, Monday. Tipoff from Knoxville, Tenn., is scheduled 7 p.m.