Lead
On Saturday in the SEC tournament semifinal at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, South Carolina edged LSU 83-77 to advance to the conference title game, extending the Gamecocks’ winning streak over the Tigers to 19 games. Raven Johnson posted a career-high 22 points with eight assists and three rebounds, while former teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley finished with 24 points. The outcome hinged on a decisive late sequence in which Johnson found Madina Okot for a go-ahead layup and Fulwiley turned the ball over on the ensuing break. South Carolina will play the winner of Texas vs. Ole Miss on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: South Carolina 83, LSU 77 in the SEC tournament semifinal at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
- Raven Johnson recorded a career-high 22 points, eight assists and three rebounds, and tied a career mark with four 3-pointers.
- MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 24 points, matching her total from the season’s championship game between these teams.
- Joyce Edwards finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, contributing 10 points in the fourth quarter.
- Ta’Niya Latson scored 19 points, including 10 in the first quarter; Jada Richard led LSU with 17 points.
- South Carolina improved to 19 straight wins over LSU and 19 consecutive victories at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
- Turnover margin favored South Carolina by five, translating to an eight-point advantage in points off turnovers.
Background
The South Carolina–LSU rivalry has produced multiple high-stakes matchups in the SEC tournament era, and Saturday’s semifinal was another chapter in that series. Dawn Staley’s program has dominated recent meetings, and the Gamecocks’ depth and postseason experience often tilt close contests in their favor. Several players on opposing rosters were once teammates, adding a personal edge to the matchup and contributing to the intensity on both ends of the floor.
South Carolina entered the game with a reputation for tough defense and veteran leadership around Johnson, who is in her fifth year and has reached multiple Final Fours. LSU countered with a balanced attack led by Fulwiley and Jada Richard, aiming to capitalize on transition opportunities and perimeter looks. The matchup also carried venue history: the Gamecocks had won 18 previous straight meetings at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, a streak they extended to 19 with this result.
Main Event
LSU led 40-36 at halftime — only the second time this season South Carolina trailed at the break — but the Gamecocks responded in the third quarter. Joyce Edwards opened the half with a five-point burst and South Carolina outscored LSU 10-2 in the opening five minutes, turning momentum in its favor. Raven Johnson scored a buzzer-beater at the end of the third to give South Carolina a 59-54 edge.
The fourth quarter saw swings from both sides. Maryam Dauda’s early fourth-quarter jumper pushed the lead to seven, and South Carolina extended that advantage to as many as eight points later. LSU fought back with a 6-0 run, and Fulwiley hit a 3-pointer to knot the score at 63 after a pair of Edwards free throws. Edwards and Madina Okot answered with six straight points to break the tie and rebuild separation.
With 1:31 remaining, Johnson hit Madina Okot on a pick-and-roll for a layup that made it 79-72. On the next LSU possession Fulwiley turned the ball over while sprinting the floor, eliminating LSU’s last realistic comeback chance. South Carolina held on down the stretch, finishing the game 83-77.
Individual runs and matchups defined the contest: Ta’Niya Latson supplied an early scoring surge with 10 first-quarter points, Johnson controlled the middle quarters with playmaking and efficient scoring, and Edwards closed the game with a decisive fourth-quarter performance.
Analysis & Implications
South Carolina’s victory underscores the program’s sustained edge in tournament settings, combining veteran poise with situational execution. Raven Johnson’s career night — her most complete statistical performance of the season — highlights how experience can surface at pivotal moments. Her ability to create for others and convert late helped swing a tightly contested semifinal.
For LSU, the loss will raise questions about late-game ball security and finishing in transition; the Tigers committed a critical turnover on the game’s decisive sequence. MiLaysia Fulwiley’s 24 points demonstrated her scoring threat and competitive matchups against former teammates, but turnovers in the final minutes undermined LSU’s comeback bid.
From an NCAA tournament perspective, this result reinforces South Carolina’s seeding and momentum heading into the SEC final — an additional quality win for a selection committee to evaluate. LSU’s performance, while falling short, includes individual efforts (Fulwiley, Richard, Williams) that can still support an at-large profile depending on the conference-final outcome and remaining non-conference metrics.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raven Johnson | South Carolina | 22 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| MiLaysia Fulwiley | LSU | 24 | – | – | – |
| Joyce Edwards | South Carolina | 18 | 11 | – | – |
| Ta’Niya Latson | South Carolina | 19 | – | – | – |
| Jada Richard | LSU | 17 | – | – | – |
The box-score snapshot shows South Carolina’s balanced attack and key performances at different stages: Latson’s early scoring, Johnson’s middle-period control and Edwards’ closing strength. Turnover margin (+5) and points off turnovers (+8) were tangible edges for South Carolina and contributed directly to the final margin.
Reactions & Quotes
Players and coaches framed the result around a single-minded approach to winning and veteran leadership.
“I’m thinking about winning. Whatever it takes to win. If I got to defend, if I got to score, whatever it takes. If I’ve got to rebound, that’s what I’ll do.”
Raven Johnson
Johnson stressed a team-first mentality after the game, emphasizing versatility and willingness to do whatever helps secure a victory. Her comments reflected the on-court sequence in the final two minutes, when she both created and finished decisive plays.
“She’s the head of our snake. Once she has that look on her face… I’m willing to do whatever I can to put our team on my back to lead us to the finish line and get us to that win.”
Maryam Dauda
Dauda praised Johnson’s leadership and the roster’s buy-in during crucial stretches. Her remarks highlighted the internal recognition of Johnson’s role as a stabilizer in high-pressure moments.
“At halftime, I thought we should be down by 10, 12 points the way we were playing… I felt our players were right there. When we came out in the third quarter, we made a run, took the lead. Then it was back and forth. But I thought our kids were really resilient.”
Dawn Staley
Coach Staley described a measured halftime adjustment and credited her team’s resilience for the comeback. Her assessment framed the win as both tactical and character-driven.
Unconfirmed
- The game write-up references MiLaysia Fulwiley as the “2024 SEC Tournament MVP for the Gamecocks”; that specific MVP attribution and team labeling appear inconsistent with roster affiliations and should be double-checked against official SEC records.
- Apparel detail reported about Dawn Staley’s sweatshirt (named brand) is anecdotal and not material to the game result.
Bottom Line
South Carolina’s 83-77 semifinal win over LSU reinforced the program’s tournament pedigree and extended two streaks: 19 consecutive wins over LSU and 19 straight at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Raven Johnson’s career-high scoring night and all-around play were the decisive factors, while Joyce Edwards’ late scoring and rebounding closed the game.
LSU showed fight and individual firepower from Fulwiley and Jada Richard, but late turnovers and South Carolina’s situational execution decided the outcome. The Gamecocks move to the SEC title game with momentum; LSU’s path forward will depend on how they respond in the remainder of the postseason.