Hightower scores 23 points, 11th-ranked Lady Tigers open SEC play with victory

Hightower leads No. 11 LSU to win over Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Allison Hightower scored 23 points and No. 11 LSU started Southeastern Conference play with its 13th straight victory over South Carolina, 70-58

on Sunday.

The Lady Tigers improved to 12-1, matching their start from three seasons ago, a team that ended up in the Final Four.

LSU used a 32-6 run in the first half to take control and won its SEC opener for the eighth straight season. Hightower was a big reason why.

LSU’s senior star had nine points during a go-ahead surge, then made two foul shots and a 3-pointer in the second half after South Carolina cut it to 52-43.

LoSondra Barrett added 16 points for LSU.

Valerie Nainima led South Carolina with 13 points.