The South Carolina-LSU matchup has evolved into one of women’s college basketball’s premier rivalries, fueled by championship pedigree, competitive intensity, and unforgettable moments that have captivated national audiences.
A Rivalry at Its Peak
Both programs rank among the SEC’s elite, consistently battling for conference supremacy while maintaining their positions in the national championship conversation. This season continues that trend as No. 3 South Carolina (24-2, 10-1 SEC) and No. 6 LSU (22-3, 8-3) prepare for Saturday’s nationally televised primetime showdown (8:30 p.m., ABC) in Baton Rouge.
The growing rivalry has already produced iconic moments, none more memorable than what transpired the last time South Carolina visited Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The “Big Shot Breezy” Game
In January 2024, then-junior Bree Hall etched her name into rivalry lore with a performance that exemplified South Carolina’s championship DNA.
The Gamecocks entered as the nation’s lone undefeated team at 17-0 and ranked No. 1. LSU, the defending national champion, stood 18-2 and ranked No. 9. The atmosphere was electric—13,205 raucous fans packed Pete Maravich Assembly Center, creating an intimidating environment.
“Playing in Baton Rouge is something else,” Hall recalled to The State. “The crowd is crazy intense. I remember going out there to warm up and they’re counting me and the other guards’ misses and stuff like that. I was like ‘Whoa. Good lord.'”
Trailing and Tested
South Carolina trailed for most of the game, falling behind by as many as 11 points. But the Gamecocks clawed back, setting the stage for Hall’s defining moment.
With 2:54 remaining and the score tied 67-67, Hall had struggled offensively, shooting just 2-for-8 from the field. Yet when her number was called in crunch time, she delivered.
The sequence began with Te-Hina Paopao coming off a screen at the top of the key. Paopao drove left into the paint before dumping the ball to 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso at the elbow. Cardoso fired a cross-court pass to a wide-open Hall on the right wing.
Hall drained the shot, giving South Carolina a 70-67 lead.
Ice in Her Veins
LSU responded with a 3-pointer of their own to tie the game at 70. South Carolina’s answer? Another wide-open three from Hall that gave the Gamecocks a 73-70 lead with just over a minute remaining.
“It was quite the experience,” Hall said. “Hitting that shot … that was huge.”
Raven Johnson added a bucket soon after to seal the 76-70 victory.
Statistical Context
Hall wasn’t a volume three-point shooter—her 1.4 attempted threes per game that season represented a career high. She was a career 36.9% shooter from long range, peaking at 38.5% that season. Her clutch performance in Baton Rouge, despite modest perimeter numbers, exemplified her ability to deliver when it mattered most.
The performance earned Hall her “Big Shot Breezy” nickname. Her teammates celebrated by showering her with water bottles in the locker room.
National Recognition
ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco, who called the game, recognized the significance of Hall’s heroics.
“I just remember feeling like that building was alive and LSU had remarkable momentum, felt like they might pull off this comeback and Bree Hall hitting those 3s to thwart it,” Ruocco told The State. “They were huge shots. Obviously it was a huge moment in what ended up being a championship season.”
Ruocco’s analysis highlighted a characteristic of South Carolina’s success under Dawn Staley.
“She delivered one of those poised, veteran moments that we have seen throughout South Carolina’s successful run. Even at times from players who maybe don’t have the most gaudy stats, right? They deliver in big moments.”
Catalyst for Growth
Hall finished that 2023-24 season with career-high marks across the board en route to her second national title with South Carolina, averaging 9.2 points per game with a 54.2% true shooting percentage. Paopao believes the LSU performance catalyzed Hall’s development the rest of the year.
“I felt like there was a different confidence to her,” Paopao said. “She grew a lot after that game. It was a really hard-fought battle between two really great teams, and she came up really big for us. I just remember that game being really physical and really fun, and I’m just happy that we came up with that dub.”
The Rivalry’s Evolution
Hall and Paopao witnessed firsthand the rivalry’s intensification. While LSU leads the all-time series 22-21, South Carolina has dominated recently with 17 consecutive victories, including a 66-56 home win last season.
The rivalry reached a crescendo in 2024 with both the “Big Shot Breezy” game in Baton Rouge and the SEC Tournament championship a month later—a compelling contest marred by a late-game altercation between the teams.
“I remember people lined up outside waiting to get in for hours and the atmosphere in the building, and what was a great game between South Carolina and LSU [in 2024], was just fantastic,” Ruocco said. “Then you have their battle in the SEC tournament a couple of years ago with some of the extracurriculars.”
Championship Credentials
Multiple factors fuel the rivalry’s intensity and national appeal.
“You have the fact that both of these teams have won national championships recently. You have the fact that both of these teams have coaches that are multi-time national championship winners and two of the more prominent figures in all of women’s basketball,” Ruocco explained. “I think all of that leads to it being just an amazing, spicy, fun rivalry.”
Platform for Growth
The matchup serves as a showcase for women’s college basketball’s expanding popularity. ESPN’s “College GameDay” will broadcast from Baton Rouge (as it did in 2024) before the game airs nationally on ABC—recognition of the rivalry’s significance.
“It makes the game so much more fun, and it’s exciting,” Hall said. “I love it. I love the rivalry games and I’m excited for this upcoming one.”
Hall and Paopao emphasized that games like South Carolina-LSU are crucial for elevating the sport’s profile and reaching new audiences.
Looking Ahead
As South Carolina returns to Baton Rouge, the rivalry continues building on its foundation of championship excellence, passionate fanbases, and memorable moments. Whether it’s Hall’s clutch shooting, the electric atmosphere, or the clash of two coaching titans in Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey, the South Carolina-LSU rivalry has established itself as must-watch television and a cornerstone of women’s college basketball’s growth.
