South Carolina Gamecocks Defeat LSU Tigers in Primetime Matchup

Dawn Staley's squad takes down Kim Mulkey's team in a top-10 SEC showdown

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team defeated the No. 6 LSU Tigers 78-65 in a highly anticipated primetime matchup on February 14th at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, improved their record to 25-2 overall and 11-1 in SEC play, while the Tigers, coached by Kim Mulkey, fell to 22-4 on the season and 8-4 in conference action.

Why it matters

This game featured a clash between two of the top teams and head coaches in women's college basketball. South Carolina and LSU are both ranked in the top 10 nationally and are vying for positioning in the SEC standings and NCAA Tournament seeding. The matchup between Staley and Mulkey, who have a long-standing rivalry, added extra intrigue to the high-stakes contest.

The details

The Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, using their stifling defense and balanced scoring attack to control the game. South Carolina was led by junior guard Zia Cooke, who scored a game-high 22 points, and senior forward Aliyah Boston, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. LSU was paced by sophomore guard Flau'jae Johnson, who finished with 17 points.

  • The game was played on February 14, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
  • South Carolina improved to 25-2 overall and 11-1 in SEC play with the win.
  • LSU fell to 22-4 on the season and 8-4 in conference action with the loss.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has led the program to consistent success and national prominence.

Kim Mulkey

The head coach of the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, who is a legendary figure in the sport and has won multiple national championships.

Zia Cooke

The junior guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who scored a game-high 22 points in the win.

Aliyah Boston

The senior forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Flau'jae Johnson

The sophomore guard for the LSU Tigers who led her team with 17 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a great team and a great coach, but our players stepped up and executed the game plan perfectly.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks (ESPN)

“South Carolina is a championship-caliber team, and they proved that tonight. We have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to get better.”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Tigers (SEC Network)

What’s next

The Gamecocks will look to continue their strong play as they push for a high seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will aim to rebound from this loss and secure a favorable postseason position.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and talent of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who demonstrated why they are one of the top teams in the country. The matchup between Staley and Mulkey also highlighted the intense rivalry between two of the most successful and respected coaches in women's basketball.