South-Carolina
What Kim Mulkey said about Dawn Staley, South Carolina vs LSU rematch
GREENVILLE — South Carolina women’s basketball and LSU already faced off in primetime and will now meet again on a big stage.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (30-2) and No. 4 seed Tigers (27-4) are playing in the SEC Tournament semifinals on March 7 (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley beat coach Kim Mulkey and LSU 79-72 on Feb. 14 to secure an 18th straight victory in the series.
It was a tight game in Baton Rouge, with the largest lead eight for the Gamecocks and six for the Tigers. South Carolina went on a 6-0 run in the final 25 seconds, with LSU missing five fourth-quarter free throws.
“I don’t know that I can expect anything, that I can just say, ‘Oh, I expect this.’ I expect two teams that respect each other, that are good for the SEC, good for women’s basketball, and they’re competitors,” Mulkey said.
Before arriving in Baton Rouge, Mulkey coached for 21 seasons at Baylor. She beat South Carolina twice at Baylor but she has yet to beat Staley with the Tigers. Staley is 7-2 against Mulkey heading into this year’s rematch.
The last six wins have gone to Staley. One came in the SEC Tournament championship in 2024, but they didn’t meet in 2025, with the Gamecocks beating Texas in last year’s tournament final.
“It should be a game that a lot of women’s basketball fans should watch because you’re looking at great talent on the floor,” Mulkey said. “You’re looking at two coaches that — well, I’m old. Dawn’s not quite as old as I am, but they’ve done a lot in the game. It will be good for the game. It will be good TV, and I don’t anticipate anything but it being a good game.”
The first matchup was the first women’s basketball game to air on ABC on a Saturday night. The network specifically chose the game, knowing the matchup always delivers in addition to MiLaysia Fulwiley layer.
Fulwiley transferred to Mulkey’s LSU team after two seasons with Staley at South Carolina. She had six points in the first meeting and comes into the rematch off 22 points and eight assists vs Oklahoma.
ESPN said the first meeting averaged 1.7 million viewers, peaking at 2.2 million, which was the most-watched women’s college basketball game across all networks this season. South Carolina’s win over Tennessee on Feb. 8 held the previous record, peaking at 1.5 million.
South Carolina has been the No. 3 team in the country most of the season. LSU was No. 6 during the matchup and still is. The Gamecocks are one of four No. 1 seeds in bracketology projections and the Tigers are a No. 2 seed for March Madness.
In just her second season with LSU, Mulkey won the national championship in 2023, which marked her fourth overall after winning three with Baylor (2005, 2012, 2019.)
Staley has three overall, all from her time at South Carolina with the first in 2017. She won in 2022 and 2024, with Mulkey’s title right in-between her two most recent championships.
“When you toss it up, you’re trying to win,” Mulkey said. “Someone’s going to win. Someone’s going to lose. But think of what’s ahead. It doesn’t matter what happens in this tournament, it’s what all of us are trying to do, and that is get to a Final Four and win a natty.”
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
The Tide will look to bounce back this weekend following their first series loss of the year.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the South Carolina Gamecocks for their final three-game series of the regular season, beginning Thursday evening.
The Tide enter the matchup with an overall record of 44-6 (16-5 SEC), as Alabama suffered their first series loss of the season against Tennessee on the road this past weekend. Star pitcher Jocelyn Briski will look to keep things rolling against the Gamecocks following an excellent outing last Friday, as Alabama as a whole will need to bounce back in authoritative fashion this weekend.
Here are three bold predictions for Alabama’s three-game set vs. South Carolina.
Jocelyn Briski continues to dominate, records 7+ innings pitched
Briski has been widely regarded as one of the top pitchers in all of college softball this season. The star flamethrower surrendered just two hits across five innings against Tennessee last Friday, as Briski recorded an impressive six strikeouts in the 12-0 victory as well.
Briski will look to stay hot against the Gamecocks on Thursday evening, as the talented pitcher continues to dominate on a nightly basis in 2026.
Alexis Pupillo bounces back, records 2+ home runs
Pupillo struggled immensely against Tennessee in Knoxville last weekend. The talented utility player went 0-for-8 across the series, but Pupillo could quickly find herself bouncing back against South Carolina.
Pupillo currently holds a .404 batting average on the year, as the star hitter will look to shine once again against the Gamecocks.
Vic Moten thrives, records 8+ strikeouts
Moten has been nothing short of elite throughout her freshman campaign with the Tide this season. The star pitcher surrendered two earned runs on four hits over six innings against Tennessee on Sunday, as Moten was excellent in the circle despite Alabama struggling offensively.
Moten finds herself in prime position for yet another impressive performance this weekend against South Carolina, as the freshman continues to shine throughout her first season in Tuscaloosa.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 29, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 29 drawing
03-19-35-51-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 29 drawing
Midday: 7-8-4, FB: 0
Evening: 1-9-9, FB: 8
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 29 drawing
Midday: 8-1-3-6, FB: 0
Evening: 8-1-9-2, FB: 8
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 29 drawing
Midday: 03
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 29 drawing
22-28-32-38-39
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 29 drawing
07-52-56-67-69, Powerball: 03
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — Students at South Carolina State University are protesting the potential selection of Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette as the Spring 2026 commencement speaker.
The protests at the state’s only public Historically Black College and University in Orangeburg County against Evette highlight controversy surrounding her political stances and affiliations.
Evette, who was at the welcome ceremony for the British monarch and queen consort at the White House on the day the protests began, addressed the situation on her Facebook page.
“Let’s be clear: facts trump feelings in the real world. President Trump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history. I must be doing something right because ‘woke mobs’ are coming after me like a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses, so bring it on,” Evette said.
A petition calling for her removal has gathered close to 9,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning. Organizers of the petition cite her political positions and affiliations as a gubernatorial candidate, noting they have generated significant controversy across South Carolina.
This controversy is particularly felt among communities that report feeling marginalized by current state policies, according to organizers.
In a separate Facebook post, Evette reiterated her position, stating, “These leftist protestors are coming after me because they know I will not bend a knee or compromise on South Carolina’s conservative values.”
South Carolina State University has not yet issued a formal announcement regarding the selection of its 2026 commencement speaker.
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