GREENVILLE, S.C. — Flau’jae Johnson couldn’t hide her emotions. She linked arms with her teammates as LSU’s alma mater played, notes wafting through the astounding Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Not long ago, the LSU women’s basketball star stepped to the free throw line with 45 seconds left with a chance to put her team ahead of South Carolina. Both free throws missed the basket. The Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 79-72 on Valentine’s Day last month.
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She missed the first shot, but Johnson made another in the SEC women’s basketball tournament semifinals when No. 4 LSU (27-4) takes on No. 1 South Carolina (30-2) on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
More LSU WBB coverage LSU beats Oklahoma State by 100 in SEC Tournament: Game highlights
Johnson once again let his emotions out after the Tigers beat Oklahoma 112-78 in the quarterfinals at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday.
“I’m super excited,” Johnson said of the chance to face the Gamecocks again.
While LSU was already making strides in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma, Johnson continued to score, scoring 10 of LSU’s 11 points in 2:23 midway through the quarter.
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“When you count her 12 points in the fourth quarter and her performance, it just brought a lot of enthusiasm to the crowd and the team and made everyone else want to play harder,” LSU freshman ZaKiyah Johnson said. “She brought a lot of energy and her scoring gave her a lot of confidence.
“You can see it. It helps our young players as well.”
Flagger Johnson had a similar score in the fourth quarter against South Carolina to give the Tigers a lead in the game.
Tiger MiLaysia Fulwiley was once a South Carolina rival. She has seen firsthand the impact Johnson has on the game and the pressure she puts on her opponents. Now, as part of her team, she’s experiencing the energy Johnson has brought to her team.
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“She was strong. I remember her being strong, she had courage, she had drive,” Fulwilli said. “She didn’t give up. That was inspiring. It made everyone else work harder. Now being on the same team, I can understand why they have this energy because it all started with her. She’s the key; she keeps us going.
“When she runs well and scores like that, it actually makes our job easier. We’re so proud of her because she puts in so much effort. When she thrives, it makes me happy. I’m lucky to be on the same side as her.”
Johnson had 21 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the win over the Clippers.
“I saw an all-around game,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “After she hit a few outside shots, I saw her confidence grow. And then as she did that, her thinking got more complex. She kept driving inside, trying to create opportunities. She got a taste of, ‘Okay, I get it.'”
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Confidence will be crucial for Johnson and LSU when they take on the Gamecocks in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. But for Johnson, the emotional outburst after a loss to South Carolina earlier this season taught her even more.
That’s why her and the team’s stellar performance against Oklahoma State meant nothing.
“Really, you have to let it know. South Carolina is a different team,” Johnson said. “I know you’ve got to keep your head high, you’ve got to look forward. Good or bad, do it right and then let it go.
“You always have another chance.”
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his coverage of the Tigers on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Have questions about LSU Athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU star Flagger Johnson ‘excited’ for South Carolina game