SEC Championship: No. 1 South Carolina beats No.8 LSU 79-72 in highly competitive grudge match

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The No. 1 ranked Gamecocks are set to square off against the reigning national champions No. 8 LSU to see who takes the SEC Championship.

LSU started the game off hot. They were led by efficient scoring and solid defense by Angel Reese, going on a 7-0 run at the beginning of the game to take an early lead in the first period.

The Tigers took advantage of missed layups and turnovers by South Carolina to create a 13-7 advantage halfway through the first quarter.

Mi’Laysia Fulwiley brought needed energy to the Gamecocks coming off the bench all game. The star freshman ended the game with 24 points, with multiple impressive finishes and going 3-4 from three.

LSU ended the first quarter searching for answers. The Tigers turned the ball over in consecutive possessions late, leading to a Te-Hina Paopao layup and free throws for Tessa Johnson. USC took the lead at the end of the first 18-15.

The Gamecocks started where they left off in the second quarter, and a Raven Johnson three brought the lead to 6 with 6 left in the second.

The Gamecocks went cold late in the second quarter, not making a shot for four minutes until Fulwiley made a fastbreak layup with 2 minutes left in the second.

South Carolina went into the half with a 36-32 lead.

USC came out hot after halftime. Bree Hall hit an and-1 jumper and Te-Hina Paopao hit a three to extend a four-point lead into nine early in the third.

Fulwiley took over in the third, scoring 10 points in the quarter including back-to-back threes late in the quarter.

LSU struggled to score in the third, digging themselves into a 13-point deficit halfway through the period. The Tigers found life near the end, bringing the lead to 6 to trail 59-53 at the end of the quarter.

The fourth quarter brought the best out of both teams. A three by Hailey Van Lith brought South Carolina’s lead to five with six minutes remaining.

LSU continued the momentum following the three. The Tigers went on a 9-0 run to bring the game within one with 4 minutes left in the game.

The Gamecocks responded with a 6-0 run of their own, to bring the game to 73-66 with two minutes remaining.

The game took a turn near the end. Late in the fourth, a foul by Flau’jae Johnson escalated into a heated scuffle that cleared both benches and prompted officials and coaches to separate players.

The altercation resulted in Kamilla Carodo and both benches being ejected, leaving USC with only one substitute and LSU with none.

The Gamecocks played solid defense in the homestretch, limiting the Tigers to two baskets in the final two minutes. Fouls by LSU led to few free throws, and South Carolina took the SEC Championship 79-72.

LSU dominated the boards all game, having a 7 rebound advantage including 17 offensive rebounds.

Stars from both teams struggled from foul trouble.

Angel Reese finished with 15 points after dealing with fouls all game.

Cardoso, the star of the semifinal totaled 8 points after dealing with foul trouble for most of the game, and was ejected for fighting.

The massive win for the Gamecocks comes at a massive cost. Cardoso will be unable to play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where South Carolina has clinched a No. 1 seed.