South Carolina women's basketball defeats LSU in SEC Tournament semifinals

Raven Johnson's career-high 22 points lead No. 3 Gamecocks past No. 6 Tigers 83-77

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Raven Johnson scored a career-high 22 points, Joyce Edwards added 18 points, and No. 3 South Carolina held off No. 6 LSU 83-77 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Gamecocks, seeking their fourth straight SEC Tournament title, will face the winner of No. 4 Texas and No. 24 Mississippi in the championship game on Sunday.

Why it matters

South Carolina and LSU are two of the top women's basketball programs in the SEC and the country. This matchup between top-10 teams in the conference tournament semifinals was a preview of what could be a potential NCAA Tournament clash down the road.

The details

South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley led LSU with 24 points, but the Gamecocks used a 10-2 run to open the third quarter to regain the lead after trailing 40-36 at halftime. LSU tied the game late, but Edwards hit a key jumper to put South Carolina back in front, and the Gamecocks held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 8, 2026 in the SEC Tournament semifinals.
  • South Carolina and LSU previously met earlier this season, with the Gamecocks also defeating the Tigers.

The players

Raven Johnson

A standout guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Johnson scored a career-high 22 points in the SEC Tournament semifinal win over LSU.

Joyce Edwards

The South Carolina forward scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half to help the Gamecocks hold off LSU.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

The LSU transfer led the Tigers with 24 points, including 15 in the first half to give LSU a 40-36 lead at the break.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Staley is seeking her fourth straight SEC Tournament title and 10th in the past 12 seasons.

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What they’re saying

“We must display our mettle and poise in big games like this. I'm proud of how our team responded in the second half to regain control.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

What’s next

South Carolina will play for the SEC Tournament championship on Sunday against the winner of No. 4 Texas and No. 24 Mississippi.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a top-10 SEC rival showcases South Carolina's championship pedigree and the Gamecocks' ability to win close games against elite competition as they pursue another conference title and a deep NCAA Tournament run.