Quick Read
- The LSU Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks are tied 47-47 in the second half of their SEC basketball rematch.
- LSU’s star guard Dedan Thomas Jr. is out due to a re-aggravated foot injury, confirmed by Head Coach Matt McMahon.
- The game’s tip-off time was moved up to 1 p.m. ET due to expected winter weather in Columbia, South Carolina.
- South Carolina won the first matchup between the teams 78-68 on January 6.
- Both teams are looking to recover from recent losses, with LSU on a three-game skid and South Carolina on a two-game losing streak.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA (Azat TV) – The LSU Tigers men’s basketball team is currently engaged in a fiercely contested Southeastern Conference (SEC) rematch against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena. The game, which saw its tip-off time moved up by five hours to 1 p.m. ET due to anticipated winter weather in Columbia, is tied at 47-47 in the second half, following LSU’s slim 36-35 lead at halftime.
This crucial matchup finds both teams eager to rebound from recent setbacks. LSU enters the contest having lost its last three games, including an 80-66 home defeat to Mississippi State on Wednesday. South Carolina is also looking to break a two-game losing streak, most recently suffering a significant 95-48 loss to nationally-ranked Florida.
Game Progression and Scoring Highlights
The game has been a back-and-forth affair since the opening tip. LSU started strong, scoring the first four points before South Carolina’s Elijah Strong responded with a layup. The teams traded three-pointers early, with LSU establishing an 8-2 lead by consistently attacking the paint. The Tigers extended their lead to as much as 13 points in the first half.
However, the Gamecocks mounted a strong comeback, fueled by key contributions from Mike Sharavjamts, who had nine points by halftime, and redshirt senior guard Kobe Knox, who added eight points. Sharavjamts’ efforts, including a dunk, helped cut LSU’s lead to three points at one stage. South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson also made critical plays, including a floater at the end of the first half to narrow the deficit to 36-35 in favor of LSU. In the second half, the Gamecocks continued their surge, tying the game at 47 points apiece, as reported by 247Sports live updates.
LSU Grapples with Dedan Thomas Jr.’s Absence
A significant factor in LSU’s challenge is the absence of standout guard Dedan Thomas Jr., who has been sidelined with a re-aggravation of a lingering lower left leg injury. Head coach Matt McMahon confirmed Thomas’s unavailability for Saturday’s game, as reported by On3. Thomas, a first-season Tiger after transferring from UNLV, is LSU’s leading scorer, averaging 15.3 points and 6.5 assists per game. His injury had previously caused him to miss five games earlier this month, and his absence is keenly felt, particularly given LSU’s recent struggles with three-point shooting, where they went a combined 1-of-18 in the first halves of their last two games.
LSU is also without forward Jalen Reed, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in November. Reed was averaging over nine points and five rebounds in his six games before the injury. Despite these challenges, players like Max Mackinnon, who scored 15 points against Mississippi State, and Rashad King, with 14 points, have stepped up for the Tigers.
Season Context and Previous Encounter
This matchup marks the second meeting between LSU and South Carolina this season. The Gamecocks secured a 78-68 victory in the first league game on January 6 at the Maravich Center. In that initial encounter, South Carolina displayed exceptional three-point shooting, converting 10-of-13 attempts in the first half alone and finishing at 57 percent from beyond the arc. Elijah Strong led the Gamecocks with a career-high 30 points in that win. LSU struggled with shooting efficiency in that game, hitting just 38.7 percent from the field, and also faced a 14-6 turnover deficit despite out-rebounding South Carolina 42-30.
South Carolina, with an 11-10 overall record and a 2-6 mark in the SEC, is aiming for a season sweep against LSU, a feat they last achieved in the 2003-2004 season. The Gamecocks’ recent 47-point loss to Florida tied for the fourth-largest margin of defeat in program history and was their worst loss of the 21st century, highlighting the team’s motivation to perform strongly in this home game. LSU, currently 13-8 overall and 1-7 in the SEC, is seeking to improve its 1-4 away record this season.
The ongoing battle between LSU and South Carolina underscores the competitive nature of SEC basketball, where key player availability and a team’s ability to overcome recent performance dips can significantly impact game outcomes.