COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jordan Wright had 14 points including two free throws with five seconds left as LSU erased a 16-point second half deficit to beat No. 11 South Carolina 64-63 on Saturday.
The Tigers (13-12, 5-7 Southeastern Conference) trailed 41-25 after Zachary Davis’ 3 pointer with 16:58 to play. That’s when LSU found its offensive flow.
South Carolina (21-5, 9-4) had a final chance, but Jacobi Wright’s 3-pointer from the left corner hit off the rim and bounced away.
LSU players jumped and screamed in celebration while the large home crowd stood in shock.
Tyrell Ward led the Tigers with 16 points. Point guard Trae Hannibal, who played two seasons at South Carolina, had a game-high 12 rebounds.
This one looked over as South Carolina opened the second half with a 9-0 burst for their 16-point lead. Instead, the Gamecocks lost two in a row for the first time this season.
B.J. Mack had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead South Carolina. It looked like the Gamecocks might escape with victory after Ta’Lon Cooper made a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 63-60 lead with 28.1 seconds left.