GREENVILLE, S.C. – March 10th, 2024

No. 1/1 South Carolina won its eighth SEC Tournament championship in the last 10 seasons, and its second in a row with a 79-72 win over No. 8/5 LSU Sunday afternoon at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Gamecocks got a career-high 24 points from freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, who earned tournament MVP honors for her effort in the Gamecocks’ title run.

Fulwiley hit a pair of 3s in a 24-11 South Carolina run across the first and second quarters that put South Carolina up for good. The game remained close throughout, but the Gamecocks managed to inch further ahead with each quarter.

The Tigers sliced a 13-point deficit to one on Flau’jae Johnson’s free throws with 4:36 left to play. The Gamecocks’ Raven Johnson answered with a bucket, and ever-steady Bree Hall added two more to stretch the advantage.

South Carolina held a 73-66 lead with just over two minutes to play when an intentional foul by Johnson following a steal by Fulwiley sparked tempers on both sides, after which the Tigers were left with five players and the Gamecocks six to finish out the game.

LSU got within five, but the Gamecocks closed out the game being strong on the boards and solid free throw shooting from Sania Feagin and Fulwiley.

Gamecock Notables

MiLaysia Fulwiley became the first Gamecock freshman to be named SEC Tournament MVP following her team-high 14.3 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, over South Carolina’s three wins.
Kamilla Cardoso joined Fulwiley on the SEC All-Tournament Team. The senior added 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over the tournament, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that delivered South Carolina’s semifinal win over Tennessee.
Staley’s eight SEC Tournament titles puts her second in league history behind Tennessee’s Pat Summitt.
At South Carolina, Staley is 15-2 in postseason games when a trophy is on the line – 8-1 in SEC Tournament, 5-1 in NCAA Regional Finals, 2-0 in NCAA Championship games.
Ashlyn Watkins added five blocks in the title game, including three in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.

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