LSU Women’s Basketball Struggling in Recent SEC Play

After dropping their last game against Mississippi State, the LSU Tigers have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The loss also marked their third in the last five games.

The Tigers’ roster is filled with talent, most of which is returning from last season. Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith are the leaders of the team.

No. 9 Tigers vs. No 1 South Carolina Gamecocks

Coming into this game, the Tigers were looking to knock off the No. 1 team in the nation. However, South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley were not going to back off easy.

The game was held in Baton Rouge, and was also the location for College GameDay.

ESPN's College Gameday is coming to the PMAC on January 25 when LSU hosts South Carolina!

📄 https://t.co/WvRMkqMcJJ pic.twitter.com/1wxZXD4RXr

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) January 16, 2024

At the half, LSU led 41-36. The Tigers only trailed the Gamecocks once in the game and it was the first basket from South Carolina.

In the second half, the Gamecocks finally took the lead away at the 6:06 mark in the fourth quarter. With a basket from Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina was now up 63-61.

The game would travel back-and-forth up until the final dagger from South Carolina’s Bree Hall. Hall nailed a three pointer with 1:14 left to force the Tigers to start fouling for possession. The Gamecocks would capitalize and walk away from Baton Rouge with a 76-70 win over the Tigers.

ANOTHA ONE, THANK YOU!!

📺 ESPN | https://t.co/QVA76A0xj9 pic.twitter.com/KHwC4IFumn

— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) January 26, 2024

South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts was the Gamecocks’ leading scorer with 14. For the Tigers, Aneesah Morrow led the way with 16.

Final From BR pic.twitter.com/fvb7Vm2xuu

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) January 26, 2024

Against Mississippi State

After their home loss to the top-ranked Gamecocks, the Tigers headed to Starkville to face the Bulldogs. A total of three lead changes happened in the first quarter, and LSU was down 20-18 at the end of the first.

However, the second quarter was huge for the Tigers as they regained the lead and never looked back. At one point, the Tigers were up by eight and started to look like they were putting the Bulldogs away. At the end of the half, the Tigers lead 40-35.

The start of the second half started much like the first with a back-and-forth ball game. There was a total of five lead changes alone in the third quarter, but this time it was the Bulldogs who were leading heading to the fourth quarter.

Leading 63-57, JerKaila Jordan and the Bulldogs needed one more strong quarter to knock off the Tigers. Even though they outscored the Bulldogs 16-12 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers would walk away from Starkville with another loss, and their first set of back-to-back losses of the season.

Job done ✔️#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/4VymifFRZn

— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) January 30, 2024

Mississippi State’s JerKaila Jordan scored 24 in the matchup, and Reese led the Tigers with 20.

Looking Ahead

Next, LSU will face the Florida Gators in Baton Rouge on Sunday.