Texas Longhorns Secure SEC Tournament Title with Dominant Victory Over South Carolina Gamecocks
Madison Booker led the No. 4 Texas team to a dominant victory over the third-ranked South Carolina team in the Southeastern Conference tournament final. The Longhorns started strong with a 14-0 lead and maintained their momentum throughout the game. Booker, who scored 18 points, was named the tournament MVP, while Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee also contributed to the team's success with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Texas, which joined the SEC in 2024, shot an impressive 57% from the field, avenging their previous year's loss to the Gamecocks in the championship game.
The Gamecocks, who had a 12-game winning streak, were unable to match the Longhorns' performance, with Joyce Edwards scoring 13 points in the game. Despite the close matchups between the two teams earlier in the season, Texas dominated from the start in this game. The Longhorns had previously won 66-64 in November, while the Gamecocks secured a 68-65 victory in January. However, in the tournament final, Texas took control early on, making their first seven shots and establishing a 14-0 lead before South Carolina managed to score.
Justice Carlton's impressive performance in the first quarter, where she outscored South Carolina with 13 points, set the tone for Texas' strong start. The Longhorns shot 68% from the field in the first quarter, building a commanding 27-12 lead. Despite the support of a large South Carolina crowd, Texas continued to extend their lead, going into halftime with a 17-point advantage. This halftime deficit was the largest that South Carolina had faced in the SEC tournament under coach Dawn Staley.
In conclusion, Texas delivered a dominant performance in the SEC tournament final, securing their first conference title since joining the SEC in 2024. Led by Madison Booker's 18 points and a strong team effort, the Longhorns outplayed the defending champion South Carolina team to claim victory in a decisive fashion.