In a resounding statement, the No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team dismantled the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 64-45 to capture their third consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship. This dominating performance marked the Gamecocks’ ninth SEC title in the last 11 years under the guidance of legendary coach Dawn Staley.
Tournament MVP Chloe Kitts led the charge with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Tessa Johnson added 14 points to propel the Gamecocks to victory. Sania Feagin and Joyce Edwards chipped in with 11 points each, as South Carolina boldly staked their claim to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gamecocks’ suffocating defense was the key to their triumph, holding All-American Madison Booker to just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. South Carolina forced 18 turnovers and limited Texas to a mere 45 points, snapping the Longhorns’ 15-game win streak in the process
Coach Staley’s squad was relentless from the outset, never trailing and blowing the game open with a 19-2 run to start the second quarter. This decisive burst gave the Gamecocks a commanding 33-16 lead at halftime, and they never looked back.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer was left searching for answers, as his team struggled to contain the Gamecocks’ high-powered offense. “I took two timeouts in the second quarter, and we just could not stop their momentum,” Schaefer admitted.
Despite the loss, Schaefer remains optimistic about his team’s prospects, expressing confidence that the Longhorns will still secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. “One quarter, one game certainly doesn’t define our season,” Schaefer said.
For the Gamecocks, this championship victory marks a testament to their unwavering dedication, unrelenting passion, and unshakeable team chemistry. As they look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, South Carolina will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, driven by their dominant performance in the SEC Tournament.
