COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless runs and a refusal to yield, the LSU Tigers outlasted the South Carolina Gamecocks 92-87 in overtime Saturday in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball clash at Colonial Life Arena.

The victory, secured before a crowd of 10,738, avenged a 10-point home loss to South Carolina just 25 days prior and snapped a three-game skid for LSU, which improved to 14-8 overall. South Carolina fell to an even 11-11.

The most critical phase of the contest arrived in the final minute of regulation and extended into the extra period. Trailing 78-76 with under a minute to play, LSU’s Michael Nwoko converted a crucial layup off a feed from Max Mackinnon to tie the game with 39 seconds left. South Carolina’s Elijah Strong then missed a pull-up jumper, giving the Tigers a chance to win it in regulation. But Max Mackinnon’s floating jumper missed with five seconds left, and a chaotic final sequence saw South Carolina fail to get a shot off, sending the game to overtime tied at 78.

LSU seized immediate control in the extra frame. Rashad King, who struggled in recent outings, scored five of his team-high 18 points in overtime, including two pressure free throws after drawing a foul. The Tigers’ defense tightened, holding South Carolina to just one field goal in the first four minutes of the period. A pivotal block by Mackinnon on Kobe Knox with just over three minutes left preserved a four-point lead, and LSU’s efficiency at the free-throw line, where they finished 21 of 25, sealed the victory down the stretch.

The game was a tale of contrasting styles and momentum swings. LSU leveraged its significant advantages in size and interior scoring, outscoring South Carolina 42-36 in the paint and dominating the fast break 19-7. The Tigers shot a blistering 51.7% from the field (31 of 60) and posted an offensive rating of 122.9 points per 100 possessions, a mark of elite efficiency.

South Carolina, conversely, relied on forcing turnovers and converting them into points. The Gamecocks recorded nine steals, leading to 15 points off LSU’s 11 turnovers, while committing only six of their own. Guard Meechie Johnson orchestrated the offense with 21 points and six assists, but the team’s overall shooting (28 of 69, 40.6%) and a 22-of-31 performance from the foul line proved insufficient.

LSU built an early lead behind the interior dominance of Nwoko, who scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, and the all-around play of Marquel Sutton, who added 16 points and eight rebounds. The Tigers led 36-35 at halftime, but South Carolina answered with a second-half surge. A 9-2 run fueled by Johnson and Eli Ellis, who scored 14 points, gave the Gamecocks a 56-53 lead midway through the half, setting the stage for the back-and-forth battle that would require overtime.

Max Mackinnon was instrumental for LSU, contributing 15 points and a game-high eight assists while adding two blocks, including the critical one in overtime. Pablo Tamba provided valuable minutes with five points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.

For South Carolina, Kobe Knox supported Johnson with 15 points, while Strong finished with 12 points and five rebounds. The Gamecocks’ effort on the glass, where they secured nine offensive rebounds, kept them in contention, but they could not overcome LSU’s superior shooting and clutch play in the extra session.

The result defied the pregame metrics, as LSU entered as a narrow 2.5-point favorite despite statistical models giving South Carolina a 64% probability to win. The combined score of 179 points sailed over the posted over/under of 146.5.

LSU looks to build on the road win when it hosts Georgia on Feb. 7. South Carolina faces a quick turnaround, traveling to face Texas on Tuesday.