The South Carolina vs LSU SEC Tournament semifinal women’s basketball preview sets the stage for a heavyweight clash Saturday afternoon in Greenville, where two of the conference’s most talented rosters collide with a trip to the championship game on the line. The No. 1 seed will face the No. 4 seed in what promises to be a high-intensity battle inside .
The rivalry has been one-sided in recent years—South Carolina has won 18 straight meetings dating back to 2012—but tournament basketball has a way of rewriting narratives. With explosive scorers, elite rebounders, and two legendary coaches on the sidelines, this semifinal could quickly become the weekend’s must-watch matchup.
Tournament Tessa returns
Momentum often swings on the confidence of a shooter, and lately Tessa Johnson has been riding the roller coaster.
The South Carolina guard struggled from deep late in the regular season, finishing her final three games shooting just 4-for-21 from three-point range. The cold stretch seemed to follow her early in Friday’s quarterfinal, where she misfired on three of her first four attempts.
Then the spark came.
Johnson exploded for a personal 10-0 run in the second quarter, knocking down two three-pointers, slicing to the rim for a layup, and calmly sinking free throws. The burst turned a tight game into a runaway and reminded everyone why teammates call her “Tournament Tessa.”
Her backcourt partner Raven Johnson never doubted the turnaround.
“As a shooter, you’ve got to keep shooting,” Johnson said. “Tessa comes in at the right time, and it’s March.”
LSU knows exactly what she can do. In the teams’ February matchup in Baton Rouge, Johnson burned the Tigers for 21 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.
Stopping her will likely fall to freshman defender Bella Hines, whose energy and defensive instincts have impressed LSU coach in recent weeks.
Joyce Edwards looking for a statement game
If South Carolina’s guards catch fire, the paint becomes even more dangerous—especially when Joyce Edwards gets involved.
The freshman star bounced back Friday with a dominant 21-point performance, a sharp contrast from the nine points she managed against Kentucky a week earlier. Her physical drives and mid-range touch forced defenders into difficult decisions.
Against LSU earlier this season, Edwards finished with 10 points and only one rebound, numbers far below her usual impact.
That makes Saturday’s rematch personal.
Expect South Carolina coach to lean on Edwards early, trying to establish the interior presence that helped the Gamecocks control the first meeting.
Rebounding could decide the game
The most important stat in the February clash wasn’t shooting—it was rebounding.
South Carolina dominated the glass for most of that contest, powered by center Madina Okot, who pulled down 17 rebounds. Her ability to clean the boards gave the Gamecocks extra possessions and slowed LSU’s transition attack.
However, the Tigers showed their resilience late. LSU surged in the fourth quarter by aggressively attacking offensive rebounds, nearly erasing the deficit.
If LSU hopes to finally snap the losing streak in this rivalry, controlling second-chance opportunities will be essential.
Free throws: the silent difference
Another subtle but decisive factor is free-throw efficiency.
In the previous meeting:
- South Carolina: 15-for-17
- LSU: 14-for-23
That difference—just a few missed shots—helped tilt the final score in South Carolina’s favor.
The trend carried into Friday’s quarterfinals:
- South Carolina: 73.1%
- LSU: 60%
Over the course of a physical tournament matchup, those percentages matter. Late-game fouls often determine postseason outcomes, and the team that stays calm at the line could walk away with the win.
LSU’s challenge: more scoring support
While LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson delivered 21 points in the last meeting, the offensive support behind her was inconsistent.
Key contributions included:
- Mikaylah Williams: 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting
- Amiya Joyner: 13 rebounds
- MiLaysia Fulwiley: 6 points, 3 turnovers
Fulwiley’s storyline adds extra intrigue. The Columbia native and former South Carolina standout now faces her old program on one of the SEC’s biggest stages.
After LSU’s quarterfinal win, she brushed aside any emotional narrative.
“It’s the next game,” Fulwiley said. “I’m a new player with a new mindset.”
Still, Greenville holds memories for her. As a high school star and later a Gamecock freshman, she won multiple games—and even an SEC Tournament MVP—inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Two elite coaches on one stage
Part of what makes this matchup compelling is the chess match between Mulkey and Staley, two of the most accomplished coaches in women’s college basketball.
Mulkey acknowledged the magnitude of the moment but kept expectations simple.
“You’re looking at great talent on the floor,” she said. “Two teams that respect each other… and competitors trying to win.”
Both programs share a larger goal beyond the SEC Tournament: reaching the Final Four and chasing a national championship.
The semifinal, then, becomes both a test and a preview of what might come later in March.
Game details
Matchup: vs
Event: semifinal
Location:
Time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast:
More tournament details can be found on the official SEC website:
https://www.secsports.com/championships/womens-basketball-championship
Final thought
The South Carolina vs LSU SEC Tournament semifinal women’s basketball preview highlights a matchup filled with storylines: a shooter rediscovering her rhythm, a freshman star seeking redemption, a former Gamecock returning home, and two powerhouse programs fighting for another championship run.
When the ball goes up in Greenville, the noise will rise, the stakes will sharpen, and one team will move one step closer to the SEC crown.
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