According to a report from Sports Media Watch, the highly anticipated clash between LSU and South Carolina in women's basketball emerged as the most-watched sporting event nationwide on Thursday. An average audience of 1.56 million people tuned in to witness South Carolina secure an impressive victory over defending national champions, LSU, on the road.

The Gamecocks showcased their resilience, triumphing over LSU by a score of 76-70, courtesy of a commanding performance in the fourth quarter. Interestingly, South Carolina's triumph outshone the primetime NBA games broadcasted on TNT the same evening, including a matchup between the Celtics and the Heat.

The report further states that this game stands as the second most-watched regular-season women's college basketball game since 2010, trailing only the recent thrilling overtime clash between Ohio State and Iowa featuring standout player Caitlin Clark.

Both South Carolina and LSU have been formidable forces in women's basketball, claiming the last two national championships. The clash between these two powerhouse programs was eagerly anticipated, as they harbor aspirations for another Final Four appearance in 2024.

With this victory, South Carolina has opened up a two-game lead over LSU in the loss column for the SEC regular season title, solidifying their position at the top. Although this is their sole scheduled meeting during the regular season, the two teams could potentially face off again in the SEC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament at the end of the year.

The massive television ratings for this matchup highlight the increasing popularity and viewership of women's college basketball. It also underscores the significance of programs like South Carolina and LSU in captivating the attention of sports fans across the nation.

Moving forward, fans eagerly await upcoming games and tournaments in the women's basketball landscape, with many anticipating more thrilling matchups and record-breaking viewership.