South Carolina Women's Basketball Faces Tough SEC Matchup Against LSU

Dawn Staley's Gamecocks take on MiLaysia Fulwiley's Tigers in a highly anticipated conference showdown.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:47am

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The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team is gearing up for a crucial SEC matchup against the LSU Tigers. The game will feature a head-to-head battle between two of the conference's top coaches, South Carolina's Dawn Staley and LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley.

Why it matters

This game is a key test for the Gamecocks as they look to maintain their position atop the SEC standings and bolster their case for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. LSU has also emerged as a formidable contender in the conference, making this an important game for both teams' postseason aspirations.

The details

South Carolina enters the game with a 21-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SEC play. The Gamecocks are led by their veteran head coach Dawn Staley, who has built the program into a national powerhouse. LSU, meanwhile, is led by first-year head coach MiLaysia Fulwiley, who has quickly turned the Tigers into a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.

  • The game is scheduled for February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.
  • This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season, with South Carolina having won the first matchup.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has led the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a national championship.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

The first-year head coach of the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, who has quickly turned the program into a contender in the SEC.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a tough game, but we're ready for the challenge. Our team has been working hard and we're excited to compete against a great LSU squad.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

“We know South Carolina is a talented team, but we're confident in our abilities and we're looking forward to this matchup. It's going to be a great game for the fans to watch.”

— MiLaysia Fulwiley, Head Coach, LSU Tigers

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a top seed in the SEC Tournament, which will be held in March.

The takeaway

This game between two of the SEC's top teams promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, with both coaches and players eager to come out on top and bolster their postseason aspirations.