The LSU Tigers (10-2, 5-1) used a late rally on Saturday evening to defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-3, 1-1), 85-80, in Baton Rouge.
The Gamecocks led for much of the game and went into halftime with a 38-34 lead. South Carolina, which was without head coach Frank Martin and two other assistants due to COVID-19, continued its hot play until midway through the second half when LSU finally went on a run.
The Tigers went on a 20-4 run beginning around the eight-minute mark in the second half and finally seized control of the game with under one minute remaining. LSU’s 84-76 lead with 34 seconds left in the game was its biggest, and the Tigers held off a talented and feisty Carolina squad.
Saturday’s game between LSU and South Carolina was only USC’s second game in 41 days as the Gamecocks have had eight games either canceled or postponed this season.
Freshman guard Cameron Thomas once again led the Tigers in scoring with 25 points. Forward Trendon Watford scored 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Guard Javonte Smart scored 15 points, while forward Darius Days finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Junior forward Keyshawn Bryant led the Gamecocks with 26 points.
Next up for LSU is a showdown with first-place Alabama on Tuesday in Baton Rouge.