No. 2 South Carolina Faces No. 5 LSU in High-Stakes SEC Showdown

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 2 South Carolina and No. 5 LSU will clash in a highly anticipated SEC women’s basketball game Friday night at Colonial Life Arena. The sold-out matchup, set for 5 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN, features two of the nation’s top teams vying for conference supremacy.

The Gamecocks (17-0, 5-0 SEC) enter the game riding a 12-game winning streak and a 53-game regular-season SEC winning streak, dating back to 2021. A victory would extend both streaks and solidify their position atop the conference standings. LSU (16-1, 4-1 SEC), led by head coach Kim Mulkey, aims to snap South Carolina’s 16-game winning streak in the series.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley emphasized the importance of defense in her team’s success. “We pride ourselves on being a defensive team,” Staley said. “Our ability to disrupt opponents and control the tempo has been key to our consistency.” The Gamecocks rank 15th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 55.1 points per game, and seventh in blocks per game (6.0).

LSU, meanwhile, boasts one of the most potent offenses in the country, led by All-American guard Hailey Van Lith. The Tigers average 85.3 points per game, ranking third nationally. However, they will be without guard Izzy Besselman, who remains sidelined due to a heart condition.

South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, a key player in last year’s national championship run, has been instrumental this season. The junior guard leads the team with 2.9 assists per game and ranks 14th in the SEC with 3.5 assists per conference game. “Raven’s leadership and defensive intensity set the tone for us,” Staley said.

The Gamecocks swept last season’s matchups, including a thrilling 76-70 victory in Baton Rouge and a hard-fought win in the SEC Tournament championship. Friday’s game promises to be another classic in this growing rivalry.