LSU Survives Overtime Thriller Against South Carolina, 92-87

Mike Nwoko's 21 points help Tigers outlast Gamecocks in close SEC matchup.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:47am

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LSU defeated South Carolina 92-87 in overtime on Saturday, led by Mike Nwoko's 21 points. The Tigers outscored the Gamecocks 14-9 in the extra period and went 21-of-25 from the free-throw line. Rashad King (18 points), Marquel Sutton (16 points, 8 rebounds), and Max Mackinnon (15 points, 8 assists) also contributed to the LSU victory.

Why it matters

This was an important SEC conference win for LSU, who improved to 14-8 overall and 2-7 in league play. The Tigers were able to bounce back after trailing late in regulation and secure the overtime victory on the road against a tough South Carolina squad.

The details

LSU took a one-point lead into halftime, but South Carolina rallied in the second half, taking a 56-52 lead midway through the period. The Gamecocks later built a five-point cushion, but LSU responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead. The game went back-and-forth in the final minutes before Nwoko tied it at 78 with a layup in the closing seconds to force overtime. In the extra period, LSU took control at the free-throw line, going 8-of-8 to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • LSU improved to 14-8 overall and 2-7 in SEC play with the win.

The players

Mike Nwoko

A key contributor for LSU, scoring a team-high 21 points in the overtime victory.

Rashad King

Scored 18 points for the Tigers, including a go-ahead 3-pointer late in regulation.

Meechie Johnson

Led South Carolina with 21 points and 6 assists in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to pull out the win in overtime.”

— Will Wade, LSU Head Coach

What’s next

LSU will host Georgia next Saturday, while South Carolina travels to Texas on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This was a hard-fought SEC matchup that showcased the resilience of the LSU Tigers, who were able to overcome a late deficit and secure the overtime victory on the road against a tough South Carolina squad.