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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH/AP) - Ieasia Walker scored 24 points, surpassing 1,000 for her career, and led No. 19 South Carolina to a 66-59 Southeastern Conference victory over LSU on Thursday night.

The Gamecocks (15-3, 3-2) led 36-28 early in the second half, but the Lady Tigers (11-7, 2-3) battled back to tie the game 48-48 with 8:14 remaining.

Walker reached 1,000 points with a 3-pointer that broke a 50-50 tie. She finished the game with 1,006.

"At the beginning of the game, I explained to our team that even if LSU gets up with a lead, the way that they play - they take quick shots, they get up and down in transition - we're always going to be in the game because of their style," said coach Dawn Staley. "I thought we took the hit and kept moving. We didnt think about we just lost a two-point lead. We just regrouped and made plays."

Layups by Ashley Bruner and Aleighsa Welch put South Carolina ahead 57-50 with 3:22 left, but Theresa Plaisance's three-point play and Danielle Ballard's jumper made it 57-55.

Walker's steal and layup made it 59-55, and Bruner's steal led to two Welch free throws and a 61-55 margin with 1:01 left.

Welch had 14 points, Bruner 13 and Tiffany Mitchell 12 for South Carolina.

Plaisance led LSU with 18 points, Bianca Lutley had 16 and Adrienne Webb 14.

The game was played at the Carolina Coliseum due to a scheduling conflict with the Colonial Life Arena where a country music concert had been booked. It was the first official basketball game the women played in the Carolina Coliseum since a March 2002 NCAA Tournament win over Cincinnati.

South Carolina is back in action Sunday afternoon when they travel to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators.