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 (7-6) with 13 points.
LSU coach Van Chancellor _ the Olympic head coach for the last of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley's three gold-medal winning clubs _ collected career win No. 500 in the Lady Tigers last game, a 56-47 victory over 15th-ranked Xavier last Wednesday.
The Lady Tigers made No. 501 look much easier, using the big first-half run to all but put this one away.
Hightower got things started with a basket and Taylor Turnbow put LSU ahead for good moments later with her jumper. Latear Eason had three 3-pointers during the surge, her last one turning leading to a five-point possession for the Lady Tigers when LaSondra Barrett was fouled on the shot and hit two free throws.
When Barrett followed a minute later with two more from the foul line, LSU was ahead 40-19.
The Lady Tigers' defense took its toll on South Carolina, which committed 11 turnovers in the opening half and shot under 40 percent.
South Carolina rallied a bit after the break, getting LSU's lead under double-digits when Hightower got the Lady Tigers going again. The Gamecocks could not rally.
