03/07/26 05:59:00
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03/07 17:57 CST Raven Johnson's 22 points lift No. 3 South Carolina past No. 6
LSU 83-77 in SEC Tournament semis
Raven Johnson's 22 points lift No. 3 South Carolina past No. 6 LSU 83-77 in SEC
Tournament semis
By STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) --- Raven Johnson had a career-high 22 points, Joyce
Edwards scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half and No. 3 South Carolina
displayed its mettle by holding on to beat sixth-ranked LSU 83-77 on Saturday
to advance to the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game.
Ta'Niya Latson added 19 points for the Gamecocks, who are seeking their fourth
straight SEC Tournament title and 10th in the past 12 seasons under coach Dawn
Staley. South Carolina (31-2) will face the winner of No. 4 Texas and No. 24
Mississippi on Sunday.
South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley had 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting
and Jada Richard added 17 for LSU (27-5), which lost to the Gamecocks for the
second time this season.
In what essentially amounted to another home game for the Gamecocks at the
packed 15,000-seat Bon Secours Wellness Arena, it was LSU that looked at home
early.
Fulwiley, who had just six points on 1-of-8 shooting against South Carolina in
the first meeting, erupted for 15 in the first half to give LSU a 40-36 lead at
the break.
But the poised Gamecocks opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run to regain the
lead. It looked for a moment like things might get away, but LSU came storming
back as Fulwiley drilled a pull-up 3 to tie the game with 7 minutes remaining.
Edwards took over from there.
She hit a jumper in the lane with 6:41 left to give the Gamecocks the lead for
good and scored six of South Carolina's points during a pivotal 8-3 run.
With the Gamecocks leading by five with 45 seconds left, LSU inexplicably
elected not to foul and allowed 30 seconds to run off before Madina Okot scored
on a spinning layup with 15 seconds left to beat the shot clock and seal the
win.
Up next
LSU: Awaits NCAA Tournament seeding.
South Carolina: Will play for the SEC Tournament championship.
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