Darius Days scored 18 points off a season-high four 3-pointers and LSU ended a 2-game losing streak with an 86-80 victory Saturday night over South Carolina. 
Javonte Smart also had 18 points for the Tigers (19-8, 10-4), which reached double-figure league victories for the 2nd straight season.
South Carolina (16-11, 8-6) cut a 19-point second-half lead to 84-80 with 17.9 seconds left, but Smart followed with 2 foul shots to close out the win.
Early on, LSU used accurate shooting and a defensive fierceness to keep South Carolina on its heels most of the game.
The Gamecocks drew within 39-37 with a minute left before halftime when Days hit his 4th 3-pointer, then stole the ball from Wildens Leveque in the open court for an uncontested layup that sent LSU into the locker room up 44-37.
Trendon Watford, Aundre Hyatt and Charles Manning Jr. all had 3-pointers early in the 2nd half and Days put back Manning's long miss to put the Tigers ahead 57-46.
Keyshawn Bryant and Jermaine Couisnard had 15 points each to lead South Carolina. Bryant also had 10 boards for his 1st career double-double.
Days left the game and went to the locker room with about 13 minutes to go after getting hit near his eye during once exchange under South Carolina's basket. He finished 2  points shy of his career best, set twice this year.
Days eventually returned to the bench to cheer on his teammates before getting back into the action with about 3 minutes left.
He hit 6 of his 8 field goals and had 9 rebounds.
Watford had 15 points and 10 rebounds for his 5th double-double this season.
LSU's quickness and skill kept it ahead early whenever South Carolina tightened things up.
The Tigers had a 16-5 burst to lead 24-17 with 11:15 left in the opening half. When the Gamecocks scored 7 straight to tie it up, LSU answered with 7 in a row to pull back in front.
Again, South Carolina rallied to cut the lead to 31-29 and LSU broke off an 8-0 run the next two minutes for a 10-point lead.
The Gamecocks close out the 2-game homestand Wednesday against Georgia at 6:30 pm. The game can be seen on the SEC Network and heard on WNKT (107.5 FM).