In a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference showdown that lived up to its billing, the third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks demonstrated their championship pedigree by defeating the sixth-ranked LSU Tigers 79-72 in front of a capacity crowd at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Valentine's Day. This victory marked the 18th consecutive win for the Gamecocks in this increasingly lopsided series, further cementing their dominance over their conference rivals.
The atmosphere in Baton Rouge was electric, with every seat occupied for this clash of SEC titans. Both teams entered the contest with impressive credentials—South Carolina boasted a 25-1 overall record and 10-1 conference mark, while LSU stood at 22-4 overall and 8-4 in league play. The stakes were amplified by the personal rivalry between coaching legends Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey, adding another compelling layer to an already intense matchup.
First Half: A Tale of Two Quarters
The Gamecocks encountered early adversity, struggling to find their rhythm in the opening period. South Carolina managed to convert only three of twelve layup attempts, a uncharacteristic display of inefficiency around the rim that allowed the Tigers to build a five-point advantage heading into the second quarter. The officiating crew adopted a hands-off approach initially, whistling just two fouls in the entire first period—both against the Gamecocks—allowing for a free-flowing but physical style of play.
The second quarter witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum, sparked primarily by the stellar play of the Johnson duo. Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson combined to score 25 first-half points, with Raven's timely layup just before the intermission giving South Carolina a narrow one-point lead at the break. Their aggressive penetration and perimeter shooting provided the offensive spark the Gamecocks desperately needed, transforming a deficit into a slim advantage.
Flau'Jae Johnson emerged as LSU's primary offensive weapon, matching the Gamecocks' Johnsons with 14 first-half points of her own. The junior guard's ability to create her own shot kept the Tigers within striking distance, despite their overall shooting struggles. As the quarter progressed, the referees began calling the game more tightly, assessing five fouls against South Carolina and three against LSU, which disrupted the rhythm both teams had established earlier.
Second Half: Gamecocks Assert Control
The third quarter proved decisive in determining the outcome. South Carolina's defense clamped down on LSU's offense, holding the Tigers scoreless for the first 5:15 of the period. During this critical stretch, the Gamecocks methodically extended their lead, capitalizing on LSU's cold shooting and careless turnovers. A particularly impressive second-chance effort from Ayla McDowell epitomized South Carolina's hustle and determination, giving them a five-point cushion heading into the final quarter.
The Gamecocks outscored LSU 19-15 in the third period, with eight fouls called against them compared to five on the Tigers. Despite the foul trouble, South Carolina maintained their composure and continued executing their game plan. Joyce Edwards and Ta'Niya Latson both accumulated three personal fouls during this stretch, forcing them to play more cautiously as the game reached its climax.
Crunch Time: Clutch Performances Seal the Victory
The fourth quarter delivered the dramatic finish that fans had anticipated. With the game hanging in the balance, Flau'Jae Johnson drilled a clutch jumper to narrow the deficit to a single point, injecting life into the home crowd and giving LSU hope for a monumental upset. However, the Tigers' momentum was short-lived. Johnson was fouled with 45.5 seconds remaining and the score 73-72 in favor of South Carolina, but the pressure proved too much as she missed both free throw attempts—a devastating blow to LSU's comeback chances.
South Carolina's Madina Okot delivered the knockout punch, scoring a crucial layup with 25.5 seconds left to push the lead to three points. The 6-foot-7 freshman center then calmly sank both free throws on the subsequent possession, extending the margin to five points and effectively sealing the victory. Okot finished with an impressive double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.
Joyce Edwards, LSU's talented sophomore forward, fouled out late in the contest after contributing 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Her absence in the final minutes deprived the Tigers of a key interior presence when they needed it most. The Gamecocks' ability to exploit this advantage in the closing seconds proved instrumental in securing the win.
Coaching Milestone: Staley's 500th Victory
Beyond the immediate impact on SEC standings, the game held special significance for Dawn Staley, who achieved her 500th career victory at South Carolina since taking over the program in 2008. This milestone places her among an elite group of active coaches and underscores the remarkable transformation she has engineered in Columbia. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have evolved from a respectable program into a perennial national powerhouse, consistently recruiting top talent and competing for championships.
Staley's record against Kim Mulkey now stands at 6-0 during Mulkey's tenure at LSU and 7-2 overall when including their matchups during Mulkey's highly successful 21-season run at Baylor. The two coaching legends first faced each other on December 2, 2018, when Mulkey's Baylor squad defeated South Carolina 94-69. She secured another victory that same season in the NCAA Tournament, 93-68. However, Staley finally solved the Mulkey puzzle on November 30, 2019, with a 74-59 win, and has now won five consecutive meetings between the two.
Historical Context and Rivalry Dynamics
The Staley-Mulkey rivalry has become one of the most compelling storylines in women's college basketball. Mulkey, who arrived at LSU before the 2021-22 season after building a dynasty at Baylor, has yet to defeat Staley with the Tigers. This dynamic adds extra intrigue to every matchup, as Mulkey's championship pedigree—she won three national titles at Baylor—collides with Staley's own championship success, including a national title with the Gamecocks in 2022.
The sold-out crowd in Baton Rouge reflected the growing interest in this rivalry and in women's basketball generally. The atmosphere was further charged by the presence of a former Gamecocks guard returning to face her old team, who received a warm ovation from the South Carolina faithful when she checked into the game. In a moment of poetic justice, Raven Johnson intercepted a pass from her former teammate and converted it into a layup for Joyce Edwards, though Edwards later reciprocated with a steal of her own to even the score in that personal battle.
Implications for Both Programs
For South Carolina, this victory reinforces their status as a legitimate national championship contender. The Gamecocks demonstrated resilience in overcoming early shooting struggles, composure in handling foul trouble, and clutch execution in the game's final moments. The balanced scoring attack, featuring the Johnson duo's 40 combined points and Okot's interior dominance, showcases the depth and versatility that make them so difficult to defend.
The win also maintains their strong position in the SEC standings, keeping them in contention for the regular-season conference title. With only one loss on their record, the Gamecocks remain firmly in the conversation for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would give them a favorable path to the Final Four.
LSU, despite the loss, proved they can compete with the nation's elite. The Tigers fought back from multiple deficits and had opportunities to win in the closing minutes. Flau'Jae Johnson's performance demonstrated her star potential, while the team's defensive effort in the third quarter showed their capability to disrupt even the most potent offenses. However, the missed free throws in crunch time and Edwards' foul trouble exposed areas that need improvement before tournament play begins.
Looking Ahead
As both teams turn their attention to the remainder of their SEC schedules and postseason preparation, this game provided valuable lessons. South Carolina reinforced their mental toughness and ability to win in hostile environments—qualities essential for tournament success. LSU, meanwhile, gained confidence from their competitive showing while identifying specific areas for improvement, particularly in late-game execution and foul management.
The rivalry between these programs shows no signs of cooling, with each matchup adding another chapter to an increasingly heated competition. As long as Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey patrol their respective sidelines, fans can expect more sold-out arenas, dramatic finishes, and high-stakes basketball that showcases the best of what the women's game has to offer.
With the regular season winding down and tournament play on the horizon, this Valentine's Day victory will resonate beyond the final score. It represents another statement win for a South Carolina program that continues to set the standard for excellence in women's college basketball, while serving as motivation for an LSU team eager to close the gap and eventually turn the tide in this one-sided series.