No. 2 South Carolina Edges No. 5 LSU in Thrilling Women's Basketball Showdown

2025-01-24

The No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 5 LSU Tigers faced off in a highly anticipated women’s college basketball game on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed due to hazardous winter weather conditions in Louisiana, which disrupted LSU’s travel plans. The matchup, broadcast on ESPN, marked a clash between two of the nation’s top teams, with South Carolina entering the game at 18-1 and LSU at 20-0.

South Carolina took control early, building a five-point lead before the first media timeout. LSU responded, ending the first quarter with a narrow 22-21 lead, thanks to strong performances from Flau’jae Johnson, who scored six points in the opening frame. The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with the game tied at 29-29 with just under five minutes remaining. However, South Carolina closed the half strong, taking a 33-30 lead into halftime. LSU struggled offensively, missing their last 12 shot attempts over the final 4:51 of the half, but maintained a +9 rebounding advantage.

The Gamecocks extended their lead in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run to take a 45-36 advantage, their largest of the night. Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson were key contributors during the run, with Johnson adding a steal and a layup to cap the surge. LSU called a timeout to regroup, but South Carolina’s defense and offensive execution proved too much to overcome.

This game was a rematch of the 2024 SEC Championship, which South Carolina won 79-72 in a contest marred by an on-court altercation that resulted in multiple ejections. The Gamecocks have dominated the recent series, winning the last 16 matchups against LSU. Both teams are led by elite coaches: Dawn Staley for South Carolina and Kim Mulkey for LSU. Staley’s Gamecocks are known for their depth and defense, while Mulkey’s Tigers have been a powerhouse since her arrival, including a national championship in 2023.

The rescheduled game did not include the “College GameDay” show, which was originally planned for Thursday. All tickets for the Thursday game were honored for Friday’s matchup. South Carolina’s next game is scheduled for Monday, January 27, against Tennessee, while LSU will face Florida on Sunday.

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