South Carolina HC questions team's ability to 'do the right thing' in upset loss to LSU

The wheels are falling off for No. 11 South Carolina. 

Following a 21-3 start, the Gamecocks (21-5, 9-4) have tasted defeat in back-to-back games after an ugly upset loss to LSU (13-12, 5-7) on Saturday. After blowing a double-digit second-half lead, South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris questioned his team's decision-making. 

"There's not an infinite amount of chances to do the right thing, and at some point, you run out of chances," Paris told reporters. 

The Gamecocks led by as many as 16 points down the stretch, but LSU wouldn't go away, outscoring the Gamecocks 23-12 over the final eight minutes to cap off an incredible come-from-behind win on the road. 

Paris called Saturday's contest a game of "situations," adding that he didn't believe his team handled them well. He said there was a miscommunication during a timeout late in the game, resulting in the team not fouling when told and a turnover that led to a pair of game-winning free throws for LSU.

"It was lost in translation somewhere between the huddle and the floor," Paris said. 

South Carolina nursed a three-point advantage, 63-60, with 17 seconds left, but allowed guard Jordan Wright to cut the deficit by two with a layup. 

Following a timeout, LSU regained possession after forward Tyrell Ward forced a jump ball turnover before Wright hit two at the charity stripe after being fouled with five ticks left on the clock. 

Once in the driver's seat in the SEC after winning seven in a row, the Gamecocks have now dropped two conference matchups in as many games. However, what might be most concerning is the fashion in which they've lost. 

Before giving one away against a lackluster LSU squad, South Carolina was coming off an embarrassing effort against No. 13 Auburn, losing by 40, 101-61, on Feb. 14.