No. 1 South Carolina dominates No. 3 LSU on Sunday’s 2nd biggest game (photos)

Hours before Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, another game with plenty of hype took place on the other side of the country. No. 1 South Carolina defeated No. 3 LSU 88-64 in a women’s college basketball showdown played in front of 18,000 loud fans in a sold-out Life Colonial Arena. LSU is led by star forward Angel Reese, who placed a crown on her head during the starting lineup announcements, while South Carolina houses the reigning National Player of the Year Aliyah Boston.

After a brief moment of attempts to get physical on post-up battles to begin the game, there was no confusion- Boston is still the best player in the nation.

“There’s nobody in the country who produces like she produces on both sides of the basketball,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “As far as I’m concerned, and I’ve got no vote in [National Player of the Year], nothing besides my mouthpiece, but she is the best player in the country.”

For Boston, it was just another day in the office- 14 points, at an efficient five-of-nine shooting rate, nine rebounds and three blocks, to be exact.

“We know that it’s a big SEC matchup because LSU’s a great team, but I definitely think the media was just all hyped on it,” Boston said, “which I think is good because it drew everyone to watch this game, which is what we need in order for women’s basketball to continue to grow, but it’s just another game.”

The Gamecocks now enter the final four games of the regular season, before the quest to repeat as national champions inches closer. The first round of the NCAA Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 17.