Gamecocks fall to LSU

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Seimone Augustus keeps sparking a special season for Louisiana State.

The freshman scored 26 points Thursday night, including two free throws with 7.1 seconds left to give No. 4 Louisiana State a 69-66 win over No. 16 South Carolina.

Ever since the 18-year-old debuted with 27 points against Arizona, good things have happened to LSU. The Lady Tigers (19-1) have equaled their best-ever start in the Southeastern Conference at 7-1 and their highest ranking in 25 years.

"Seimone came into a team that was very experienced," LSU coach Sue Gunter said. "It's been a nice match. It's given her the time to find her comfort zone."

Augustus couldn't have looked much more comfortable Thursday night than at the free throw line. The 85 percent shooter swished both shots after watching two teammates miss front ends of 1-in-1s that kept South Carolina close (16-5, 4-4).

"She's fantastic, she's fun to watch," Gamecocks coach Susan Walvius said. "And we didn't guard her very well."

Augustus' free throws also assured South Carolina could do no more than tie. But Cristina Ciocan's well-contested 3-pointer didn't even make it to the rim at the buzzer.

The Lady Tigers looked to have the game in hand after scoring on nine straight possessions to break away from a tie at 51 to take a 67-59 lead with 1:39 left.

"We're in the game, the game's on the line and we're giving away uncontested layups," Walvius said.

But LSU mistakes gave the Gamecocks a chance in the end.

Roneeka Hodges threw away a pass, then fouled Kelly Morrone as she shot a 3-pointer. Morrone hit all three foul shots to pull South Carolina to 67-64.

LSU's Temeka Johnson and Wendlyn Jones both missed front ends of 1-in-1s, and Ciocan hit a driving layup and the Gamecocks trailed 67-66.

Augustus' free throws provided the final margin.

"We did a lot of bending tonight, but we didn't break," Gunter said.

Petra Ujhelyi scored a career-high 24 and had nine rebounds for South Carolina, while the SEC's second-leading scorer, Jocelyn Penn, was held to 15 points, better than five below her average. Ciocan scored 14 points and had 10 assists for the Gamecocks, who never led.

Aiysha Smith had 16 points, and Ke-Ke Tardy added 10 for LSU.

LSU, who came into the game with the SEC's best defense at 52.9 points a game, held South Carolina without a basket for more than eight minutes in the first half. South Carolina missed 10 shots in a row during the run, and The Lady Tigers forced four turnovers to score 13 points for a 17-4 lead.

Augustus said her contributions aren't just shown on the state sheet. Defenses have to concentrate on stopping her, freeing up some of LSU's veterans.

"All of these players can now be themselves," Augustus said.

Thursday's game was the third in a row for the Lady Tigers against ranked teams. They've won every one going into a Sunday showdown with No. 12 Mississippi State.

And looming ahead is a Feb. 23 game against Tennessee in Baton Rouge. If LSU continues to win and a few other things go their way, the Lady Tigers could clinch their first SEC title since 1983, the first year the conference played women's basketball, by beating the Lady Vols.

"This team has some lofty goals," Gunter said. "If we remained focused and continue to play well, a lot of things can happen for this team."