LSU vs. South Carolina highlights, rating, stats: Gamecocks win after Angel Reese fouls out – USA TODAY

BATON ROUGE, La. – The important thing to South Carolina staying undefeated regardless of trailing for practically 33 minutes Thursday night time?
The three from Bree — Bree Hall, that’s.
Two enormous 3s from the junior guard — together with one from the nook with 1:14 to play that broke a 70-70 tie and gave South Carolina the lead for good — helped carry the top-ranked Gamecocks to a 76-70 win over LSU in entrance of a packed home of 13,205.
By no means thoughts that South Carolina, which improved to 18-0, appeared out of kinds most the night time, whereas LSU grooved to as a lot as an 11-point lead in a recreation the defending national champion Tigers principally managed. However when Angel Reese fouled out with 4:02 left, South Carolina noticed a gap and dropped the hammer. The Gamecocks completed on an 11-3 run.
“We’re gonna play for 40 minutes, regardless of if we’re down double-digits or up double-digits, we’re going to attempt to determine methods to shut the hole,” South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley stated.
“Sport got here all the way down to what it often does: It’s simply toughness, it’s expertise,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey stated. “They made the performs to win it, it was simply toughness. That was good for the SEC, two groups battling it out.”
Seven Gamecocks scored six factors or extra, led by Chloe Kitts, who had 14. It took Kamilla Cardoso 11 shot makes an attempt to attain 11 factors, however the 6-foot-7 senior additionally grabbed eight rebounds, serving to South Carolina win the battle of the boards 39-37. That was an particularly stunning stat on condition that LSU dominated rebounding many of the recreation, however Reese’s absence positively made a distinction.
“While you lose Angel, you lose a big part of what they do, as a result of she touches the ball loads and is a part of them making selections,” Staley stated.
LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson agreed with Staley’s evaluation that dropping Reese harm the Tigers. “That was a giant hit for us. 4 minutes left, that’s an excessive amount of time, an excessive amount of time to not have Angel Reese on the ground, she’s so skilled.”
Reese picked up her fourth foul with 8:20 left within the fourth quarter, LSU main 57-52. She briefly hit the bench however returned solely to foul out with simply over 4 minutes to go. Mulkey stated afterwards that she did not assume she put Reese again into the sport too early, however acknowledged that “While you don’t have Angel Reese on the ground (it) takes you out of your rhythm, takes you out of (your) confidence zone.”
Raven Johnson was additionally clutch for South Carolina, scoring 13, grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing 4 assists. Her layup with 24 seconds to play made it a two possession recreation, and LSU freshman Mikaylah Williams couldn’t join on a 3 to get the Tigers nearer.
Johnson, who drew Reese’s fifth foul — after which hit each free throws to tie the sport 67-67 — drew reward from Staley afterward.
“It was enormous to get Angel out of the sport,” Staley stated, including that on Johnson’s game-sealing layup “she went by her choices, after which put her head down and made a play. She places a lot into the sport, I’m glad the sport discovered a option to repay her in that second.”
Thursday was the one common season assembly between the 2 groups; it’s probably they’ll meet within the SEC Event.
“I’m not into ethical victories, by no means have been. We had alternatives to win this recreation and we didn’t,” Mulkey stated. “I’m certain I’ll toss and switch all night time, don’t know if I’ll sleep a lot.
“We’ll be taught from it. This is only one recreation.”
Click this link for stats from the sport.
Prime-ranked South Carolina slipped previous defending champion LSU in Baton Rouge, 76-70, to enhance to 18-0 on the season.
LSU star Angel Reese was compelled to the bench with 4:02 to go after choosing up her fifth foul whereas making an attempt to cease a Raven Johnson drive. Johnson hit each free throws to tie the sport, then Bree Corridor knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:54 to go to place South Carolina up three. LSU’s Hailey Van Lith twisted up the sport together with her personal 3-pointer with 1:42 to go, however Corridor answered with one other three on South Carolina’s subsequent possession to place the Gamecocks up for good.
Johnson sealed the sport with a layup with 24 seconds to go then knocked down a free throw with 9 seconds remaining to offer the ultimate margin.
LSU dropped to 18-3 with the defeat. – Jace Evans
Properly, this may be a wholly totally different ball recreation now. Angel Reese picks up her fifth foul – not an incredible choice to swipe at a Raven Johnson layup try – and heads to the bench. Now the Tigers have two freshmen on the ground. Can they maintain on? – Lindsay Schnell
LSU leads 67-65.
Does Mikaylah Williams know she’s a freshman? She actually doesn’t play like one.
A 3 within the nook from Williams provides LSU a 67-65 lead after the groups traded scores. Is that this recreation taking place to the wire? – Lindsay Schnell
South Carolina leads 63-61.
Properly, after a bit of 6-0 Gamecocks run, South Carolina takes its first lead of the sport because it went up 2-0 method again at first.
With Angel Reese on the bench, LSU has taken a pair dangerous photographs and South Carolina has been capable of get into the paint simpler. Reese is again in, too. – Lindsay Schnell
Now it is getting attention-grabbing. With LSU main 57-52, Angel Reese has simply picked up her fourth foul. How lengthy will coach Kim Mulkey maintain her on the bench? Reese is not simply the sport’s main scorer with 15 factors, however a participant who loves the massive second. Can South Carolina take benefit? – Lindsay Schnell
The explanation LSU is profitable this recreation? The Tigers are going on the tempo they need, not the tempo South Carolina needs (and it’s not shut).
The Gamecocks simply look out of kinds, whereas the Tigers look relaxed and in a groove. There’s only one shot try distinction between them (LSU has taken 52 photographs, South Carolina 51), however LSU’s six blocks have positively made a distinction.
Kamilla Cardoso solely has 9 factors (on 9 makes an attempt). She has to get the ball extra — with out burying herself too deep — if South Carolina goes to win this recreation. LSU, in the meantime, simply must proceed to take sensible photographs. It truly is that easy. Persevering with to win the rebounding battle (LSU is up 33 to 27 in that class) will assist, too. – Lindsay Schnell
LSU leads 51-46.
South Carolina reduce it to at least one with 7:25 to play, however LSU answered on the opposite finish and Angel Reese blocked South Carolina’s subsequent try and scored on a layup shortly after that. Plainly each time South Carolina will get shut, LSU has a solution — after which some. Chloe Kitts, who has 14 factors, already 4 over her common, is the one dependable scorer for the Gamecocks proper now.
However: Reese (15 factors, eight rebounds) simply picked up her third foul, and would possibly want to hold on the bench for awhile. – Lindsay Schnell
In Baton Rouge, locals name LSU girls’s basketball video games “The Present.” It’s powerful to get tickets to The Present — and primarily based on how the Tigers performed the primary half vs. South Carolina, it’s comprehensible why.
The Tigers placed on fairly the present within the first half, out-rebounding South Carolina 25-17 and scoring 11 second-chance factors to take a five-point halftime lead. However a buzzer-beating 3 from MiLaysia Fulwiley, who has eight factors, provides South Carolina a little bit of momentum. Kamilla Cardoso scored her first basket with 28 seconds left within the half, a much-needed confidence increase going into the break. The Gamecocks are going to want much more from her within the second half in the event that they’re going to remain undefeated.
Additionally of be aware: The groups are a mixed 3-of-11 from the free throw line. Yikes. – Lindsay Schnell
LSU leads, 34-25.
Hitting 4 of 5 area targets is an effective option to stretch your lead — and that’s precisely what LSU did the primary half of the second quarter. Of be aware: Each groups are taking pictures 48% from the sector, however LSU has eight extra shot makes an attempt than South Carolina.
LSU star Angel Reese may need a double-double at halftime the way in which she’s going: The junior ahead already has 11 factors and 7 rebounds. (Shaq would be proud.) In the meantime, Aneesah Morrow picked up her second foul with 5:30 to play, which suggests we most likely gained’t see her once more till the second half. – Lindsay Schnell
Just a little 12-2 run towards the top of the quarter provides LSU a 24-18 edge after the primary interval, however a 3 from South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao on the buzzer may be what the Gamecocks must get going.
What in addition they want: Extra scoring from Kamilla Cardoso, who averages 13.3 however has 0. (After spending last season as a super sub, Cardoso has change into one of many stars for the undefeated Gamecocks this 12 months.) In the meantime each LSU starter has scored, led by switch guard Aneesah Morrow, who has 10 factors after 10 minutes of play.
Additionally of be aware: LSU is profitable the battle of the boards early, outrebounding South Carolina 12-8, together with grabbing six offensive rebounds. You understand Daybreak Staley is speaking about that within the huddle proper now. – Lindsay Schnell
Regardless of turning the ball over thrice within the first couple of minutes, South Carolina trails simply 12-11 on the first media timeout. LSU has gotten the Gamecocks out of rhythm a pair occasions on offense, however South Carolina is already taking pictures 71% (5-of-7) from the sector. Chloe Kitts has already scored seven fast factors for South Carolina. – Lindsay Schnell
Kim Mulkey, as typical, is making a statement with her outfit.
The third-year LSU coach is carrying a jacket with a design from Becky Fos, a New Orleans-based artist who has executed some customized work for the Tigers’ locker room, and has a bit displayed in Mulkey’s workplace. Mulkey’s outfit can also be a nod to Coca-Cola, the official recreation sponsor. 
Mulkey’s outfits always spark conversation, however she advised me this week, “I’ve a line. There are some issues I gained’t put on. I gained’t even attempt it on!”
I believe we’d all prefer to see these outfits. – Lindsay Schnell
The sport begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Earlier this week, a bunch of specialists from across the USA TODAY Community made their predictions for LSU-South Carolina, together with giving a closing rating. I used to be the one one to select the Tigers. Clearly, after every week in Baton Rouge, I’ve drank the sequined Kool-Assist.
The important thing to the Tigers handing the Gamecocks their first loss? I believe true freshman Mikaylah Williams has to play huge — and never like a freshman (which she’s been doing many of the season already, averaging 16.5 factors and 5.1 rebounds). – Lindsay Schnell
The Gamecocks are ranked No. 1 within the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and have wins in opposition to 4 ranked opponents, by a median of 20.8 factors. They’re the final remaining undefeated girls’s crew.
LSU, who performed with out Angel Reese for 4 video games earlier within the season, is ranked No. 9 and has two losses – in opposition to Colorado on Nov. 6 and Auburn on Jan. 14. – Lindsay Schnell
The LSU pupil part did not take too kindly to Caitlin Clark highlights being performed throughout pregame whereas ESPN’s School Gameday previews the LSU-South Carolina matchup.
Followers have been so irritated, in actual fact, that they began chanting “overrated!” As you may keep in mind, LSU, led by trash-talking double-double queen Angel Reese, beat Clark and Iowa for the national championship last season.
Each Clark and Reese are finalists for nationwide participant of the 12 months. Clark, as you have most likely heard, is on tempo to interrupt not solely the NCAA girls’s scoring file, but additionally the all-time NCAA scoring record, held by LSU legend Pete Maravich (who this area is called after!) – Lindsay Schnell
The place’s Angel Reese? 
That was the query on everybody’s thoughts in November, when the Most Excellent Participant from LSU’s national title run final season went missing from the basketball court, fueling wild hypothesis. The Tigers went 4-0 with out Reese as LSU coach Kim Mulkey, famously prickly and personal, refused to give the scoop on her star participant. So the place was Reese? 
Most likely speaking to Shaq. Sure Shaq as in, Shaquille O’Neal, who at 7-foot-1, 325 kilos, is bigger than life in each stature and persona, and who stays the pleasure of this southeastern Louisiana faculty city despite the fact that he hasn’t performed right here since 1992. They’re a pure pairing, when you consider it. – Lindsay Schnell
Learn the whole story here.
Prime Video announced a new docuseries titled “The Cash Sport” on Thursday. The present will comply with LSU athletics with an emphasis on NIL and stars Angel Reese, Livvy Dunne, Flau’Jae Johnson and Jayden Daniels.
The docuseries is being created by Campfire Studios, Axios Leisure and Jersey Legends, Shaquille O’Neal’s manufacturing division by Genuine Studios.
In accordance with a information launch, LSU boasts three of the top-10 NIL earners in faculty athletics. – Lindsay Schnell
Learn more here.
A court-storming incident last weekend involving Iowa’s Caitlin Clark − the place the star guard was unintentionally knocked over by an Ohio State fan sprinting to hitch the celebration after the No. 15 Buckeyes upset the No. 2 Hawkeyes − has sparked an attention-grabbing dialogue. 
Given the rising parity and curiosity in girls’s faculty basketball and the way frequent upsets have gotten, ought to additional safety at video games be thought-about? 
Thursday, No. 9 LSU hosts No. 1 South Carolina in a recreation anticipated to attract a sellout crown of greater than 13,000 on the Pete Maravich Meeting Heart. Secondary market tickets near the court docket are listed for upwards of $1,000 and have been priced as high as $4,000. School GameDay might be on site for its pregame show. Kim Mulkey, coach of the defending nationwide champion Tigers, stated she expects “one heck of an environment.” However she didn’t categorical concern a couple of potential postgame celebration getting out of hand. 
On her Tuesday radio present, she advised followers: “You’re the defending nationwide champions. Act such as you’ve been there.” – Lindsay Schnell
Learn the complete story here.
This season, after profitable the 2023 nationwide championship, LSU bought nearly twice as many season tickets because it did for 2022-23. As such, the LSU-South Carolina recreation, arguably the largest matchup of the common season in all of girls’s basketball, has been bought out for months.
You may nonetheless get tickets to this recreation — which suggestions in about 80 minutes — if you would like. However it will price you. Good views are close to $2,000 on secondary ticket sites.
Most individuals will inform you that for those who’re prepared to attend till proper earlier than the beginning of an occasion, the costs will drop, typically dramatically. Nevertheless it’s a danger. – Lindsay Schnell
Followers are beginning to stream in and we’re formally an hour from tip off.
One of many followers who obtained in early: Former South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston, now of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
Final season, after Iowa upset Boston and USC, I wrote that Boston should use her COVID year and are available again for an excellent senior season. As an alternative, she was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft and a 2023 All-Star. She was additionally named the 2023 Rookie of the Year. Looks as if it labored out fairly nicely for her. – Lindsay Schnell

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