Dawn Staley says South Carolina was targeting Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow due to LSU roster depth issues: "You have to use that against them"

Dawn Staley and No. 2-ranked South Carolina continued their mastery of No. 5-ranked LSU, recording a 66-56 win at Colonial Life Arena on Friday. Joyce Edwards scored a team-high 14 points for the Gamecocks, who have won their last 17 meetings with the Tigers.

In the postgame press conference, a reporter asked Staley if it was part of South Carolina's game plan to make LSU stars Aneesah Morrow and Flau'jae Johnson work early to get them tired in the second half.

"Absolutely. I mean, that’s part of it," Staley said (11:03). "Keep pushing the ball down the floor. Keep making them work hard for catches. Yes, we know they play six or seven players and you have to use that against them.

"They’re that talented that if you allow them to rest on defense, they have more energy to take advantage of you on offense. So yes, that was part of the game plan."

The plan worked well for Staley and her team as Morrow and Johnson got into foul trouble in the second half. Morrow finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds but fouled out with 46.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Johnson picked up her fourth foul with 5:46 remaining, forcing the LSU star to sit for more than three minutes. She scored just two points in the second half after recording 11 in the first half.

Dawn Staley continues her dominance against Kim Mulkey's LSU

One thing that Kim Mulkey has yet to accomplish at LSU is to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks. She has lost each of her first five meetings against Dawn Staley's team since taking over as the Tigers coach in 2021, including a 79-72 defeat in the 2024 SEC championship game.

Staley leaned on the Gamecocks' depth to get the job done. South Carolina's starters combined for 35 points on 12-for-31 shooting. Sania Feagin nearly recorded a double-double with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Chloe Kitts added seven points and seven boards.

South Carolina Gamecocks forward Sania Feagin (#20) drives around LSU Tigers forward Sa'Myah Smith (#5) in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Photo: Imagn

The Gamecocks' bench nearly matched the offensive production of their starters, accounting for 31 of their 66 points. Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley chipped in nine and eight points.