Geaux Gamecocks: South Carolina basketball escapes Baton Rouge with road win over LSU

South Carolina Basketball vs. LSU Tigers:
Stats, Scoring, and Observations

South Carolina basketball entered Thursday night's clash of the titans as the country's only undefeated team, and they exited the game with the same distinction. LSU's 29-game home winning streak was snapped, and the Gamecocks escaped Baton Rouge (despite not playing their best game) with a 76-70 win.

Here are the stats from the game:

STATS

LSU

Points

Leader: Aneesah Morrow with 16

Rebounds

Leader: Aneesah Morrow with 10

Assists

Leader: Mikaylah Williams with 6

Steals

Leader: Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow each with 2

Blocks

Leader: Aalyah Del Rosario with 3

Other

The Tigers' starting backcourt of Hailey Van Lith and Mikaylah Williams went 10-28 from the field and 3-15 from outside

South Carolina

Points

Leader: Chloe Kitts with 14

Rebounds

Leader: Raven Johnson with 9

Assists

Leader: Te-Hina Paopao with 6

Steals

Leader: Bree Hall with 3

Blocks

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso with 2

Other

The Gamecocks were horrible in the first half on the glass (lost the rebounding battle 25-17), but they owned the boards in the 2nd half and won the battle 39-37 for the game

BOX SCORE

OBSERVATIONS

• Starters: Raven Johnson-Te-Hina Paopao-Bree Hall-Chloe Kitts-Kamilla Cardoso
• Carolina was sloppy on offense early (4 early turnovers), and they allowed way too many offensive rebounds (6 in the 1st). Chloe Kitts' 9 points kept them in the game even though Kamilla Cardoso didn't have a single shot attempt.
• Sania Feagin and Ashlyn Watkins picked up two fouls each in the 1st quarter, while LSU wasn't whistled at all in the opening period.
• Kamilla Cardoso was benched for soft rebounding effort and minimal offensive "want-to." Sania Feagin, forced into action, scored a few times but struggled. She returned to the game late in the 2nd quarter but was a non-factor until an and-one in the final minute.
• Chloe Kitts' initial 9-point burst and 8 points in just 5 minutes from MiLaysia Fulwiley were the only reason USC was in the game at halftime.
• The Gamecocks continued to be horrible in the rebounding department and from the free throw line. At halftime, USC trailed 25-17 on the glass and had made just 2-7 from the stripe.
• A better rebounding effort helped in the 2nd half, but the Gamecocks' shooting struggles from outside hurt the offense.
• Paopao broke out of her funk a bit from the 1st half, and Cardoso played much stronger in the 2nd half. Both players were needed in the Gamecocks' comeback.
• Chloe Kitts' 1st half offense and Ashlyn Watkins' 2nd half defense at the 4-spot was a nice combination.
• Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, and Bree Hall stepped up with clutch moments to seal the victory.