LSU Outlasts South Carolina in Overtime Thriller, Snaps Back with Grit and Free Throws
Saturday night in Baton Rouge wasn’t just about revenge-it was about resilience. LSU men’s basketball pulled off a hard-fought 92-87 overtime win over South Carolina, flipping the script on a team that had dominated them earlier in the season. This time, the Tigers didn’t just show up-they punched back.
Let’s rewind. The last time these two squads met, South Carolina ran LSU out of the gym, opening with a 28-point lead that left little doubt about who controlled the game.
But in the rematch, LSU came in with a different edge. From the opening tip, the Tigers looked determined to make South Carolina uncomfortable-something head coach Matt McMahon had emphasized after that first meeting.
“We never made them uncomfortable in the first half,” McMahon had said after the earlier loss. “Their physicality really bothered us.” This time, LSU brought the fight.
The Tigers held a lead going into halftime, but the Gamecocks clawed back to tie things up at 47 early in the second half. From there, it was a tug-of-war.
Neither team could create much separation, and regulation ended with the score still deadlocked. That’s when the Tigers leaned into one of their most reliable weapons-free throws.
In overtime, LSU went 9-for-12 from the line-a clutch performance that proved to be the difference. And when it mattered most, Max MacKinnon delivered.
With 20 seconds left in OT, MacKinnon drained a three that gave LSU the breathing room it needed. It wasn’t just a dagger-it was a statement.
MacKinnon had been the top scorer in the teams’ first meeting, but this time it was Mike Nwoko who paced the Tigers with 21 points. On the other end, Rashad King anchored the defense with six boards and a steal, helping LSU hold off a South Carolina team that refused to go quietly.
Notably, LSU pulled off the win without Dedan Thomas Jr., who’s been sidelined for most of SEC play. Thomas was listed as day-to-day heading into the game, and McMahon was cautious about making any definitive calls on his availability.
“We don’t want to put anybody as ‘out’ the night before a game, and then they show up the next day and play,” McMahon said recently. “He’s making great progress. He’s still day to day.”
Even without Thomas, LSU looked more cohesive. The team showed growth from their earlier matchup, especially in how they responded to South Carolina’s physical style. For a squad that’s struggled to string together consistent performances, this one felt like a turning point-at least for a night.
Of course, one win doesn’t erase the pressure that’s been building around McMahon. The Tigers have had their ups and downs this season, and while this victory gives them a much-needed jolt, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. If McMahon wants to truly steady the ship, LSU will need to turn this momentum into a streak.
Next up: Georgia. The Tigers return to the PMAC on Feb. 7, looking to build on the grit and execution they showed Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m., and if LSU can channel the same energy, they might just keep their season alive-and their coach off the hot seat a little while longer.