South Carolina Advances to SEC Tournament Championship

Gamecocks defeat LSU 83-77 to reach 7th straight SEC title game

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the LSU Tigers 83-77 in the SEC Tournament semifinals, advancing to the championship game for the seventh consecutive year. The Gamecocks, led by 22 points from Raven Johnson and 19 from Ta'Niya Latson, overcame a halftime deficit to secure the victory and set up a potential rematch with the Texas Longhorns in the final.

Why it matters

South Carolina is seeking to become the first team in SEC history to win four consecutive tournament championships. The Gamecocks have been a dominant force in the conference, and this latest win keeps their historic run alive as they look to cement their legacy.

The details

After trailing 40-36 at halftime, South Carolina used a strong third quarter to take control of the game and pull away from LSU. The Gamecocks' defense, led by SEC Defensive Player of the Year Raven Johnson, was a key factor in the victory. Former Gamecock MiLaysia Fulwiley had a strong game for LSU, scoring 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Gamecocks' balanced attack.

  • The SEC Tournament semifinals game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • South Carolina has now advanced to the SEC Tournament championship game for the 7th consecutive year.

The players

Raven Johnson

The SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Raven Johnson led South Carolina with 22 points in the win.

Ta'Niya Latson

Ta'Niya Latson added 19 points for the Gamecocks in the victory.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

Former Gamecock MiLaysia Fulwiley had 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting for LSU in the losing effort.

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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)

What’s next

The Gamecocks will face the winner of the Texas-Ole Miss game in the SEC Tournament championship on Sunday. South Carolina has a chance to win their fourth straight conference tournament title, something no other team in SEC history has accomplished.

The takeaway

South Carolina's dominant run in the SEC Tournament continues, as the Gamecocks have now advanced to the championship game for the seventh consecutive year. With a chance to make history by winning a fourth straight title, the Gamecocks will look to cement their legacy as one of the premier programs in women's college basketball.