USC 78-LSU 68 Game Summary
- The Gamecocks opened the game on fire, making their first nine shots, including five straight triples. Elijah Strong, who finished with a career high 30 points before fouling out late in the game, hit four of those three pointers as the Gamecocks went up 28-8 in the first seven minutes.
- After starting 9-9 from the floor, the Gamecocks finished the first half going 7-22, and they led 50-25 at the break. They shot 59% in the first half to 29% for the Tigers.
- Strong finished the first half with 18 points while Meechie Johnson had 15 points on perfect shooting…4-4 on field goals, including 3-3 on threes, and 4-4 from the line.
- The Gamecocks were only 9-22 on field goals in the second half, including 2-8 from three, and that opened the door for the Tigers to make a rally.
- LSU outscored USC by 15 in the second half, and got as close as six points with 6:22 to play.
- Strong scored four straight points to put USC up by ten at 70-60 with 5:20 left. After the Tigers cut the lead to seven, Strong struck again with a jumper, and when Eli Ellis connected on a three on the Gamecocks’ next possession, they led 75-63 with 2:44 remaining and would go on to lead wire to wire.
- USC finished with a 47% shooting night, including 12-21 from three, and the Gamecocks were 16-21 from the line. They had just six turnovers.
- Defensively, USC held LSU to 39% shooting, including 8-25 from deep, and they forced 14 turnovers. they converted into 12 points.
- The Gamecocks did give up 17 offensive rebounds, but LSU could only convert them into 11 points.
- The win snaps a 10-game true road losing streak for the Gamecocks, and it’s their first SEC road win since March of 2024 at Mississippi State.
- The Gamecocks are now 10-5 overall and 1-1 in the SEC, and are halfway to equaling their SEC win total for all of last season.