GREENVILLE − South Carolina women’s basketball is back in the SEC Tournament championship game after senior center Kamilla Cardoso shocked Tennessee − and the college basketball world − with her first career 3-pointer.
Now the No. 1 seeded Gamecocks (31-0) get a rematch against No. 2 seed LSU (28-4) in the final of the SEC Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN). South Carolina’s 74-73 win over Tennessee moved them into the finals, while LSU beat Ole Miss, 75-67.
South Carolina snuck out of Baton Rouge with a 76-70 win on Jan. 25. The Gamecocks came back from an 11-point deficit to earn a win after LSU junior forward Angel Reese fouled out with four minutes left. Sophomore forward Chloe Kitts led the Gamecocks with 14 points.
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup.
Can LSU match up against Angel Reese?
Reese, the SEC Player of the Year, has been a dominant force against any opponent this season. The junior forward is averaging 19.1 points and 13 rebounds.
The Gamecocks held Reese to 15 points and eight rebounds in the first matchup before she fouled out with four minutes remaining in the game.
South Carolina has both the size and athleticism to match up with Reese, but few players in the country have been able to slow Reese down this season.
LSU is playing its best basketball under Kim Mulkey
LSU is riding a 10-game win streak and hasn’t lost since dropping back-to-back games against South Carolina and Mississippi State.
It’s the Tigers’ second longest win streak of the season, following a 16-game streak to begin the season, but LSU has done it all against SEC competition this time.
The Tigers are strong on the boards
LSU and South Carolina are tied atop the SEC with 46.6 rebounds per game, but the Tigers stand out in the way they stop opponents from getting boards.
LSU allows opponents to grab 32.9 rebounds per game, which also sits first in the conference. On top of Reese’s 13 rebounds per game, junior guard Aneesah Morrow is grabbing 10.
South Carolina women’s basketball score prediction vs. LSU in SEC Tournament
South Carolina 75, LSU 73: While LSU gave South Carolina one of its best challenges of the season, there’s a reason no team has figured out a way to beat the Gamecocks so far. South Carolina has found a way to win every game its played this season, even if it requires a center to make her first career 3-pointer.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: South Carolina vs LSU score prediction in SEC Tournament championship
