"It really is a blur": Dawn Staley questions team discipline but lauds "gritty" defense to overcome LSU

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley admitted her team's excellent defensive effort and grit spared them from a poor offensive performance against LSU on Friday. In the postgame presser, Staley highlighted her team's offensive discipline.

The Gamecocks appeared locked in after a fast-paced first quarter that saw both teams combine for 43 points. However, the following quarters saw South Carolina put up just 12, 18 and 15 points.

"I don't think we play necessarily disciplined, and it was hard to get our players to just kind of lock in what we needed to do," Staley said (0:27).

"Sometimes you just got to let them play. It was fast-paced in the first quarter and then, during the break, it really is a blur because I'm looking at them play and it's not really us offensively."

Staley also praised the team's defense for a gritty stand against LSU's offense, limiting the Lady Tigers to just 56 points.

"And then defensively, I just thought we gave a gritty performance," Staley said (0:57). "We just locked in and we just continue to fight. Continue to get loose balls and the 50-50 balls and the rebounds that we didn't come up with, we were in the mix in some of those rebounds."

No. 2-ranked South Carolina (19-1, 7-0 SEC) limited No. 5 LSU to 29.9% shooting, including 21.4% from the 3-point line. The Gamecocks' defense forced 17 turnovers, coming up with 13 steals and 11 blocks.

With the win, South Carolina handed LSU its first conference loss and dropped the Lady Tigers to 20-1 overall.

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Dawn Staley defends Raven Johnson from critics

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley came to the defense of Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson, who has faced criticism due to her inconsistent offense this season.

The 5-foot-9 Johnson finished with five points in the win over LSU, but her four quick points and a late rebound down the stretch helped quell the Lady Tigers' rally. Staley responded to a question about Johnson and defended her guard's winning attitude.

"People can break Ravens game down but at the end of the day Raven's a winner like she's a winner," Staley said (2:50). Doesn't matter how many points she scores. Doesn't matter how many assists that she has. Doesn't matter how many steals at the end of the day, she's a winner."

Johnson finished with five points, three rebounds, three assists and five steals in 28 minutes. Staley believes Johnson's defense on LSU's top scorers proves she can play with the best in the NCAA and is ready for the professional ranks.

"I mean the naysayers can say what they want. I do think she's a pro I do think the things she does for our team translate to a pro lifestyle. She defends. She can run a basketball team," Staley said (3:25). "She's bringing everything else that a coach would want all those intangibles."

South Carolina will have a two-day rest before returning to action on Monday against Tennessee at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville. The No. 17-ranked Volunteers (15-4, 3-4) lost to Texas (19-2, 5-1) 80-76 in their previous game on Thursday.