No. 3 South Carolina defeats No. 6 LSU 83-77 in SEC Tournament semis

Raven Johnson's career-high 22 points lift Gamecocks to victory

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Raven Johnson scored a career-high 22 points and Joyce Edwards added 18 as No. 3 South Carolina defeated No. 6 LSU 83-77 in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. The Gamecocks, seeking their fourth straight SEC Tournament title, will face No. 4 Texas in the championship game on Sunday.

Why it matters

The win over a top-10 opponent continues South Carolina's dominant run in the SEC Tournament, as the Gamecocks look to secure another conference title and bolster their case for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The details

LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points in the first half to give the Tigers a 40-36 lead at the break. But South Carolina opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run to regain the lead. The game remained close down the stretch, with Edwards hitting a key jumper to put the Gamecocks up for good with 6:41 left. South Carolina held on for the victory despite a late push from LSU.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.
  • South Carolina and LSU had previously met earlier this season, with the Gamecocks also defeating the Tigers.

The players

Raven Johnson

A South Carolina guard who scored a career-high 22 points in the win.

Joyce Edwards

A South Carolina forward who scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half to help the Gamecocks secure the victory.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

An LSU guard who scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting for the Tigers.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who is seeking her team's fourth straight SEC Tournament title.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

South Carolina will face No. 4 Texas in the SEC Tournament championship game on Sunday.

The takeaway

This win over a top-6 opponent solidifies South Carolina's status as one of the top teams in the country and sets up an intriguing championship matchup against another highly-ranked program in Texas.