Flau’Jae Johnson Breaks Down LSU’s Heartbreak to South Carolina: “We Didn’t Make Shots Down the Stretch”
BATON ROUGE — The highly anticipated Valentine’s Day women’s basketball showdown between No. 6 LSU and No. 3 South Carolina lived up to its billing as a tightly contested SEC clash. In front of a loud home crowd, the Tigers fought hard but ultimately fell 79-72 to the Gamecocks — marking yet another chapter in South Carolina’s long streak of dominance in this rivalry. (NCAA.com)
After the final buzzer, LSU’s leading scorer and emotional engine, Flau’Jae Johnson, offered a candid and self-aware assessment of what went wrong for the Tigers down the stretch.
Missed Opportunities Down the Stretch
Johnson, who led the Tigers with 21 points and 8 rebounds and delivered one of her strongest performances ever against South Carolina, didn’t shy away from pinpointing the pivotal moments that swung the game. According to her post-game comments:
“I think it boiled down to us not making shots down the stretch. They hit a couple key buckets that pushed their momentum forward.” (On3)
The Gamecocks finished the night 47 percent from three and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line, while LSU struggled from the perimeter and crucially failed to convert key late free throws — including a one-and-one attempt by Johnson in the final minute that could have tied the game. (NCAA.com)
Accountability and Learning
Johnson didn’t deflect responsibility, instead emphasizing the need for accountability and growth:
“Some of us have to look in the mirror and stop dropping these close games. We need to handle our business early so it doesn’t come down to two free throws at the end.” (On3)
Her remarks reflected a clear understanding of how such high-pressure games are won — not just by talent, but by execution in critical moments.
Focus on Growth, Not Excuses
Johnson’s mindset after the loss was rooted in determination rather than frustration. She echoed the philosophy instilled by coaches and leaders in the LSU program:
“Nick Saban says, ‘Never waste a failure,’ so we are not going to waste this loss. We are definitely going to learn from it. We’re going to grow from it.” (CBS Sports)
She stressed that the team can’t let a tight defeat define them, especially with important regular-season games and postseason positioning still on the line.
Veteran Leadership and Moving Forward
Johnson — one of the Tigers’ most experienced and vocal leaders — also addressed how LSU’s veterans will help younger players process the loss:
“As vets, tomorrow or whenever we get back in the lab, we gotta focus. We really gotta be intentional about these last couple of games that we have and then going into the SEC Tournament and the Big Dance.” (On3)
Her emphasis on intentional preparation and growth underscored both her leadership role on the team and LSU’s broader mindset heading toward March.
Putting the Performance in Context
Despite the loss, Johnson’s performance showed why she remains one of LSU’s go-to players against elite competition. Her ability to score, rebound — especially offensively — and push the pace kept the Tigers competitive late. But in a game where free throws and open shots became the deciding factors, both Johnson and her teammates acknowledged there’s still work to be done.
South Carolina’s ability to make more timely baskets and convert at the stripe ultimately proved the difference. For Johnson and the Tigers, the lesson isn’t about dwelling on a defeat — it’s about learning how to seize late moments in future big games.
In summary: Flau’Jae Johnson’s postgame reflections were honest and introspective — recognizing missed shots, shared responsibility, and the importance of growth. And while the Valentine’s Day loss stings, her leadership and resolve suggest LSU intends to move forward with lessons learned rather than excuses made. (On3)
