Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks Advance to SEC Championship
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, secured an 83-77 victory over LSU in the 2026 SEC Tournament semifinal on Saturday. Senior guard Raven Johnson led the charge with a stellar 22-point performance, propelling the top overall seed to the championship game inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
With this win, South Carolina improves to an impressive 31-2 record on the season. LSU, now 27-5 overall, will await their fate during the NCAA Tournament selection show on March 15th, airing on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT. Current projections place LSU as a No. 7 overall seed (No. 2 seed).
Key Performances in a Thrilling Contest
LSU junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley was a force to be reckoned with, leading the Tigers with 24 points. Junior Mikaylah Williams and sophomore Jada Richard also contributed significantly, adding 14 and 17 points respectively. The game began tightly contested, with both teams tied at 12-12 at the first media timeout. South Carolina edged ahead to lead 21-17 at the end of the first quarter.
LSU responded strongly in the second quarter, outscoring the Gamecocks 12-5 and briefly taking the lead. However, South Carolina rallied, regaining a 34-31 advantage before LSU closed the half with a 9-2 run, capped by a buzzer-beating layup from senior Amiya Joyner. Fulwiley led the Tigers in the first half with 15 points and one steal, while LSU dominated the boards, outrebounding South Carolina by nine.
Second Half Surge Secures Victory for South Carolina
The third quarter saw South Carolina come out firing, embarking on a 10-2 run to take the lead. LSU briefly regained a 42-41 advantage, but the Gamecocks answered with an 18-12 run, establishing a 59-54 lead heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with Fulwiley tying the game at 63 with a crucial three-pointer. However, South Carolina seized control and maintained their lead, ultimately securing the 83-77 victory. Dawn Staley’s strategic coaching and the team’s resilience proved to be the deciding factors.
This victory solidifies South Carolina’s position as a top contender heading into the NCAA Tournament. Fans can follow the NCAA Tournament selection show on ESPN to see where LSU and South Carolina will be seeded. The Gamecocks are poised for a deep run, thanks to the leadership of Dawn Staley and the exceptional play of Raven Johnson and the entire team.
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