February 20, 2002

Playing a rotation of just six players (but receiving assistance from its fans), LSU upset No. 9 South Carolina, 72-62, in a Sunday afternoon SEC clash.

LSU outscored No. 9 South Carolina 29-3 from the line as the Gamecocks were whistled for 26 fouls compared to only six on the day for LSU. Shaunzinski Gortman had 18 points for South Carolina while Jocelyn Penn, Petra Ujhelyi and Tatyana Troina each had eight points. South Carolina lost for only the first time since a 74-46 defeat at Arkansas on Jan. 27.

South Carolina led by as many as six in the first half but was sidelined with foul trouble towards the end of the half, thanks to 11 USC fouls to only two LSU foul-advantage, and went into halftime down by one point, 33-32.

In the second half, LSU built a eight-point lead (48-40) in the first five minutes before South Carolina put together a 9-1 run behind six points from Cristina Ciocan. Now tied at 49-all, the teams traded leads until LSU brought the fifth tie of the half (60-60) at the 2:40 mark with only 2:40 left to play.

South Carolina (21-4, 9-3) committed six fouls in the final 2:35, and LSU responded by making 10 of 12 free throws. LSU made 29 of 34 foul shots, while South Carolina made just three of eight during the game.