South Carolina Women’s Basketball Advances to SEC Tournament Championship
South Carolina women’s basketball made history on March 7, defeating LSU 83-77 in a thrilling matchup that secured their spot in the SEC Tournament championship game. This victory marked the Gamecocks’ 19th consecutive win against LSU, showcasing their dominance in the series.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (31-2) were led by star point guard Raven Johnson, who put up a career-high 22 points. This performance surpassed her previous career mark of 19 points, which she set in the first meeting against LSU on February 14. Johnson’s standout play was pivotal in helping South Carolina outscore LSU 23-14 in the third quarter, giving them a five-point lead.
On the other side, MiLaysia Fulwiley, who transferred from South Carolina to LSU last April, finished with 24 points for the No. 4 seed Tigers (27-5). Despite her efforts, LSU couldn’t keep up with South Carolina’s relentless pace.
South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley have consistently held their own against coach Kim Mulkey and the Tigers. Their previous encounter on February 14 ended in a 79-72 victory for the Gamecocks. Staley now holds an 8-2 record against Mulkey, with no wins for Mulkey since she arrived at LSU.
The Gamecocks are aiming for their fourth straight SEC Tournament championship and will face the No. 3 seed Texas (30-3) on March 8 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
The game featured several key moments that defined the outcome:
- End of 3Q: South Carolina led 59-54 after outscoring LSU 23-14 in the third quarter. Johnson’s 22 points were instrumental in this surge.
- Halftime: South Carolina trailed LSU 40-36, but they managed to close the gap significantly in the second half.
- End of 1Q: South Carolina led 21-17, with Ta’Niya Latson scoring 10 points and Raven Johnson adding seven. The Gamecocks shot 5-of-14 from the floor in the first quarter.
Throughout the game, players like Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, and Joyce Edwards contributed to South Carolina’s strong performance, while LSU relied heavily on Fulwiley’s scoring.
Coaching Rivalry: Dawn Staley vs. Kim Mulkey
Staley has a strong track record against Mulkey, holding a 7-2 record in their coaching careers. Before joining LSU, Mulkey coached for 21 seasons at Baylor, where she defeated South Carolina twice. However, since her arrival at LSU, she has yet to secure a win over Staley.
Their rivalry includes notable moments such as the December 2, 2018, game where Mulkey’s Baylor team beat the Gamecocks 94-69. The same season, Mulkey won again in the NCAA Tournament 93-68. Staley finally beat Mulkey on November 30, 2019, when South Carolina won 74-59. Since then, Staley has claimed the last six victories.
National Championships and Coaching Salaries
Both Staley and Mulkey have impressive records when it comes to national championships. Mulkey won her fourth title in 2023 with LSU, bringing her total to four after three with Baylor (2005, 2012, 2019). Staley has three titles, all earned during her time at South Carolina, including her most recent in 2024.
In terms of salaries, Staley became the highest-paid college women’s basketball coach in history on January 17, 2025. Her new contract, effective immediately, runs through 2029-30 and includes an annual salary of $4 million with annual increases and a $500,000 signing bonus, totaling approximately $25.25 million.
Game Details and Broadcast Information
- Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
- Date: March 7
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN on Fubo
- Streaming: ESPN+
Injury Report and Roster Updates
South Carolina is dealing with some injuries, with Chloe Kitts and Adhel Tac both out for the season. However, the team remains competitive with its starting lineup:
- PG: Raven Johnson
- G: Ta’Niya Latson
- G: Tessa Johnson
- F: Joyce Edwards
- C: Madina Okot
The 2025-26 roster includes returning stars like Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, and Chloe Kitts, along with emerging talent such as Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer.
Player Updates
Chloe Kitts, a starting forward, tore her ACL and will miss the entire 2025-26 season. Her father confirmed via social media that she had successful surgery and is on the road to recovery. She is expected to return next year.
Ashlyn Watkins, another key player, tore her ACL in January 2025 and was set to return this season. However, she announced in July that she will take a year off from both school and basketball.
