Texas triumphed over South Carolina with a score of 78-61 to seize the SEC title.
Longhorns Dominate to Secure Victory
Madison Booker’s 18 points led No. 4 Texas to a 78-61 victory against third-ranked South Carolina. This win secured the Longhorns’ first Southeastern Conference women’s basketball tournament title. Texas sprinted to an early 14-0 lead.
Booker, with an average of 20 points and 61% shooting over three games, earned the MVP title. Justice Carlton contributed 15 points, while Jordan Lee added 12 for the Longhorns. The Longhorns joined the SEC in 2024 and now have a record of 31-3.
“We belong in the SEC,” Booker stated. “We’re here to play and we’re here to win.”
Shooting Prowess and Defensive Pressure
Texas demonstrated their shooting accuracy with 57% from the field. This performance avenged their 19-point loss to the Gamecocks in the previous year’s championship game. Booker made 8 of 15 shots, scoring 14 points in the second half on 6-of-11 shooting.
South Carolina coach Staley acknowledged Booker’s impact, stating, “When her shot is going in like that, they are very difficult to beat.”
Joyce Edwards scored 13 points for the Gamecocks, who now stand at 31-3. Their 12-game winning streak was snapped.
Early Lead and Sustained Performance
Texas initiated the game with a strong start, making their first seven shots and establishing a 14-0 lead. They capitalised on South Carolina’s five early turnovers. Tessa Johnson managed to put the Gamecocks on the board with a 3-pointer.
According to Edwards, the starters were supposed to set the tone, but they didn’t. Carlton outscored South Carolina by herself in the first quarter, accumulating 13 points. Texas built a 27-12 lead, shooting 68% from the field. ESPN Research stated that these were the most points the Gamecocks had given up to an SEC opponent in over a decade.
The Longhorns extended their dominance inside, scoring 40 points on 20-of-34 shooting in the paint. ESPN Research reported that South Carolina contested 76% of those shots. This marked Texas’ 17th game this season with at least 40 points scored in the paint.
Coaching Milestone and Tournament Outlook
Texas coach Vic Schaefer achieved a milestone, becoming the first coach to win the women’s SEC tournament title at multiple schools. He previously led Mississippi State to the title in 2019.
The two teams split two tightly contested meetings earlier this season. The Longhorns won 66-64 at a neutral site in November, while the Gamecocks won 68-65 on their home floor in January.
- Texas shot 57% from the field.
- Texas scored 40 points in the paint.
- Madison Booker averaged 20 points during the tournament.
Both programmes are expected to receive No. 1 seeds when the NCAA tournament field is released on March 15.