The LSU women’s basketball team proved its worth on Jan. 2, when they defeated then-No. 5 Tennessee, 80-77, to win their opening game of Southeastern Conference play.
But with every passing week and every loss to a quality SEC opponent, the win in Knoxville seems further and further away.
No. 19 LSU (18-7, 7-5 SEC) struggled with its shooting throughout the game, and No. 5 South Carolina (23-2 11-1 SEC) handed the Lady Tigers their third loss in four games, winning 73-57.
“At some point, we need to say enough is enough and buckle down and do what we have to do to get these wins,” said LSU senior forward Theresa Plaisance. “A lot of things we’ve been struggling on are in our own control, and we just need to do a better job of taking care of those things.”
The Lady Tigers hung tough with the Gamecocks for most of a first half that included nine lead changes. LSU showed little fear attacking the paint, and a Plaisance 3-pointer with 4:11 left in the half put the Tigers up 22-19.
Then South Carolina showed LSU what made it a top-5 team, going on a 13-2 run to give them a commanding lead at halftime. After starting the game shooting just 25 percent from the field, the Gamecocks went 5-of-7 to end the half while LSU went 0-of-4.
Coach Nikki Caldwell said the team seems to underperform when knocked out of its rhythm.
“We like to play with a flow. And when that flow becomes choppy, our execution becomes choppy,” Caldwell said. “So I don’t know if I need to change my practices to practice choppy, I don’t know. But that is disheartening.”
LSU made several attempts to chip away in the second half, with senior guard Jeanne Kenney leading the way with 10 points after halftime. But every time LSU seemed to get close, South Carolina attacked the rim and got to the line to extend its lead.
The Lady Tigers came closest after a DaShawn Harden jumper cut the Gamecocks’ lead to 46-44. But South Carolina took advantage of a benched Plaisance and went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach.
The biggest difference came from the charity stripe, as South Carolina was able to get to the line 24 times in the second half. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said the team did a tremendous job of attacking the basket and drawing fouls.
South Carolina guard Tiffany Mitchell and junior forward Aleighsa Welch led the Gamecocks, combining for 38 points and 13 rebounds. Welch was awarded SEC player of the week last week after averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.5 steals in two games.
After playing three ranked teams in four games, LSU will play unranked Georgia and Arkansas in the upcoming week. Plaisance emphasized that the problems surrounding the team can no longer continue in these next two games
“These games are very crucial for us, and we know this,” Plaisance said. “We need to get back on the right track as soon as possible.”