MiLaysia Fulwiley nailed four shots from beyond the arc and racked up 24 points as No. 1 South Carolina, won over No. 8 LSU 79-72 on Sunday in the Southeastern Conference championship clash held in Greenville, S.C.
Te-Hina Paopao contributed 12 points, while Ashlyn Watkins blocked five shots for the top-seeded Gamecocks (32-0), who emerged victorious in a game that was disrupted by a scuffle leading to both teams’ benches clearing.
During the skirmish with 2:08 remaining, South Carolina’s Kimilla Cardoso was expulsed for shoving LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the floor. The altercation caused a 20-minute delay in the game. With several players ejected for leaving the bench, the Gamecocks continued with only six players, while LSU was down to just five.
“I just want to apologize to the basketball community,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said on the ESPN broadcast. “When you’re playing in championship games like this, in our league, things get heated. No bad intentions. Their emotions were so far ahead of them that sometimes these things happen.”
“So I want to apologize for us playing a part in that. That’s not who we are, and that’s not what we are about.”
Aneesah Morrow notched 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made four steals for the second-seeded Tigers (28-5). Angel Reese scored 15 points and pulled down 13 boards, Hailey Van Lith contributed 14 points, and Johnson added 13.
LSU competed without Last-Tear Poa, who suffered a concussion following a nasty fall in Saturday’s win against Ole Miss. Poa was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and watched the game from the team hotel.
Trailing by 10 in the final quarter, the Tigers launched an 11-2 surge, pulling within 67-66 on two successful foul shots by Johnson with 4:36 to go.
In response, South Carolina quickly regained control with a field goal by Raven Johnson and consecutive baskets by Bree Hall, stretching their lead to seven with 2:19 remaining.
Shortly afterwards, Fulwiley intercepted the ball and was fouled heavily by Flau’jae Johnson at the 2:08 mark. Tempers flared near midcourt, leading to Cardoso shoving Johnson to the ground and subsequently being ejected.
Upon resolving the disqualifications, the game proceeded without further disturbances.
The third quarter began with the Gamecocks launching a 10-1 run, securing a 46-33 advantage after two successful free throws by Chloe Kitts.
Responding swiftly, LSU tallied seven consecutive points to narrow the gap to six. However, South Carolina surged ahead by 13 following an impressive basket by Fulwiley with 2:55 left in the quarter.
The Tigers then went on a 9-point streak, with Morrow’s layup bringing them to within 57-53 with just 1:13 left on the clock.
Raven Johnson’s basket ensured a six-point lead for South Carolina entering the final quarter.
Watkins’ jump shot extended the Gamecocks’ lead to 65-55 with 7:45 remaining.
At halftime, South Carolina held a 36-32 lead. Fulwiley scored 10 points in the opening half for South Carolina, while Morrow led the Tigers with 11 points.
