No. 9 LSU (18-2, 5-1 SEC) is set to host No. 1 South Carolina (17-0, 5-0 SEC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT inside the PMAC as two of the nation’s highest scoring teams go head-to-head with each other on ESPN.
The Tigers will look to snap a 14-game skid against the Gameco*cks. As a team, LSU's offense has been big, leading the nation with 91.7 points per game. LSU's scoring margin of +30.2 is second in the nation only to South Carolina.
Here's what Kim Mulkey said ahead of the Top 10 showdown, pregame updates and a live thread from Thursday night in Baton Rouge:
What Kim Mulkey Said:
“I look at it as South Carolina has not been beaten,” Mulkey said. “South Carolina is as good, in my opinion, as they were last year with new players. No one seems to have found the formula to beat them. We’re going to do what a lot of teams try to do and that is upset them. We’re the underdog. I love underdog roles and I know it will be one heck of an atmosphere.”
“I view this game as a tremendous challenge, a tremendous opportunity, it is great for LSU,” Mulkey said. “I’ve never had a College Gameday that I’ve been a part of. I think it’s the coolest thing ever.”
Pregame Notes:
LSU will start Hailey Van Lith (G), Flau'jae Johnson (G), Mikaylah Williams (G), Aneesah Morrow (F) and Angel Reese (F).
LSU forward Sa'Myah Smith is out for the season after tearing her ACL, MCL and meniscus during non-conference play.
Both teams have five starters who average in double figures as LSU’s offense leads the nation with 91.7 points per game and South Carolina ranks No. 4 with 90.8 points per game.
Different from last year’s South Carolina team, this squad is more efficient from beyond the arc with transfer Te-Hina Paopao leading the SEC at 55.8-percent from three.
LSU has three players in Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams who all rank inside the top-10 in the SEC in scoring.
Live Updates/Thread
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First Quarter
South Carolina controls the opening tip with Angel Reese forcing a turnover on the Gameco*cks' first possession.
Reese unable to convert on the fast-break layup with SC getting on the board on their second possession. Tigers with back-to-back buckets through the first two minutes. LSU 5, SC 4
South Carolina converts on their first three possessions; forcing the ball inside with a trio of easy lay-ins. It's clear the message from Dawn Staley's group: Work the paint.
LSU G Mikaylah Williams rips the bandaid off for the Tigers after a two-minute scoring drought. LSU retakes the lead 9-8 with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Media Timeout: LSU 12, South Carolina 11
Aneesah Morrow continues a hot first quarter for the Tigers with 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting with a pair of threes.
Score Update: LSU 21, South Carolina 11 - 2:02 remaining
LSU continues getting in the paint and controlling the glass through the first quarter. Aneesah Morrow and Angel Reese are having their way; providing second-chance buckets.
End of 1Q: LSU 24, South Carolina 18
Second Quarter
LSU's defensive intensity has stolen the show through the first 12 minutes of action. South Carolina's game plan remains to work it inside but Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow continue rising to the occasion. Tigers lead 28-19 with 8:25 remaining.
The Reese-Morrow duo inside has LSU in a groove. The pair of forwards have combined for 19 points early with a majority of the buckets coming in the paint. Reese with the Tigers' last six points.
LSU Timeout: LSU 34, South Carolina 25 - 4:48 remaining
In the second quarter alone, LSU has 7 rebounds and South Carolina has 3. Tigers overall +8 on glass and have 8 offensive boards to SC's 2.
Aalyah Del Rosario with an impressive four-minute stretch for the Tigers. She's up to three blocks and four rebounds with a pair of points. Huge run for LSU, who've only played Del Rosario off the bench.
The Gameco*cks continue clawing their way back into this one despite being outplayed through the first 19 minutes. Flau'jae Johnson stops the bleeding for LSU to give the Tigers a double-digit lead.
Score Update: LSU 41, South Carolina 30 - 1:19 remaining
Halftime: LSU 41, South Carolina 35
Third Quarter
Aneesah Morrow picks up right where she left off with a quick midrange jumper for the Tigers. She's up to 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with six rebounds.
The momentum is quickly turning South Carolina's way. After a three-pointer to end the first half, they're now on a little run of their own. LSU leads 43-40 early in the second half. Gameco*cks getting it done.
Here comes Angel Reese... A huge defensive stop erupts the LSU crowd with a quick basket on the other end. She's up to 13 points with a team-high eight rebounds. South Carolina continues sticking around.
Score Update: LSU 49, South Carolina 44 - 4:30 remaining
South Carolina continues rolling through the third quarter with Dawn Staley's group working inside. The Gameco*cks are 4-for-15 from three-point range, but getting all they want inside. LSU leads 56-52.
End of 3Q: LSU 56, South Carolina 52
Fourth Quarter
Angel Reese picks up her fourth foul of the game with 8:20 remaining in the final frame. She'll be subbed out for five-star freshman Aalyah Del Rosario.
The defensive intensity has stolen the show in Baton Rouge with both programs rising to the occasion. With Del Rosario in, the Tigers continue controlling the paint.
Score Update: LSU 61, South Carolina 57 - 7:01 remaining
The Gameco*cks have fought back to tie up the game with 6:20 remaining. After a quick basket inside, South Carolina has now taken the lead in Baton Rouge. LSU trails 63-61 with 5:58 remaining.
Hailey Van Lith has turned up the heat for the Tigers... The veteran guard controls the pace and gets a critical and-one for LSU to retake the lead in the final period.
LSU freshman guard Mikaylah Williams continues playing well above her years after knocking down a triple in the corner to erupt the LSU crowd and retake the lead. A back-and-forth battle in the PMAC.
Score Update: LSU 67, South Carolina 65 - 4:25 remaining
Angel Reese has fouled out of the game with 4:02 remaining. Freshman forward Aalyah Del Rosario checks into the game for the Tigers.
South Carolina has made their last four field goal attempts while LSU is in a two-minute scoring drought with Reese on the bench. Hailey Van Lith stops the bleeding once again for the Tigers with a monster three-ball.
Score Update: LSU 70, South Carolina 70 - 1:37 remaining
Dawn Staley draws up a play for veteran guard Bree Hall who knocks down the big-time three with under a minute left to give the Gameco*cks the lead. 73-70.
FINAL: South Carolina 76, LSU 70
