The LSU Tigers suffered their first loss Friday, falling to defending national champion and No. 2 South Carolina 66-56 in Columbia, S.C.
The No. 5 Tigers dropped to 20-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC. The Gamecocks improved to 19-1 and 7-0.
The game was mostly a defensive struggle. LSU shot 29.9 percent from the field (23-of-77), including 3-of-14 from 3-point range.
South Carolina shot 37.1 percent (23-of-62). The Gamecocks made 2-of-14 3-pint attempts.
Free throws were the difference. South Carolina went to the line 26 times and made 18. LSU attempted just nine and made seven.
LSU’s point total was its lowest of the season. The previous low was a 68-67 victory over Washington on Nov. 25. The Tigers had scored at least 80 in their five previous SEC games.
LSU had 28 offensive rebounds but couldn’t capitalize.
The Gamecocks had 13 steals and 11 blocks.
LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey said the little things were the difference in the game.
“Turnovers at the most critical time that allowed the crowd to get into it, allowed them to gain a little more confidence,” she said.
But Mulkey said she learned something about her team.
“I learned we can hang with the best in the country,” she said. “And I think they’re the best in the country. I know UCLA put it on them. Look, I don’t think I’ve ever coached against a team that’s got 10 McDonald’s All-Americans on the roster.
Aneesah Morrow led the Tigers with 15 points. She had another double-double with 16 rebounds.
Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson scored 13 each. Williams also had six rebounds and three assists.
Joyce Edwards and Sania Feagin led South Carolina with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
LSU led 22-21 after the first quarter. The Tigers led 29-27 with 5:25 left in the second,
But LSU scored only one point the rest of the half and the Gamecocks took a 33-30 lead into the locker room.
Leading 38-36 in the third, South Carolina 7-0 run. Raven Johnson made layups off two quick steals to give the Gamecocks a 45-36 lead.
LSU got within 45-40 but a 6-1 run gave South Carolina a 51-41 lead after three quarters.
The Tigers got no closer than seven the rest of the way.