No. 1 Texas Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 5 South Carolina in SEC Championship Game
In a highly anticipated matchup, the No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team suffered a disappointing 64-45 loss to the No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks in the SEC Championship game yesterday. Despite entering the contest as the higher seed, the Longhorns struggled to overcome the Gamecocks’ dominant performance, compounded by the hostile home-court advantage South Carolina enjoyed.
A Tough First Half for the Longhorns
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that South Carolina was playing with an intensity that was difficult for Texas to match. The Longhorns, who had been firing on all cylinders throughout the tournament, found themselves on the back foot early. Texas’ offense, typically dynamic and efficient, was stifled by South Carolina’s aggressive defense, which forced the Longhorns into difficult shots and disrupted their rhythm.
Texas shot just under 30% from the field, a number that fell far below their usual offensive output. The Longhorns’ struggles were particularly evident in the second quarter, where they managed to score only six points—an incredibly low total for a team that has averaged over 70 points per game throughout the season. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks capitalized on Texas’ mistakes and maintained a steady offensive flow, heading into halftime with a commanding lead.
The Longhorns’ offensive woes were compounded by their difficulties with turnovers and offensive rebounds. South Carolina’s defense was relentless, forcing Texas into a number of unforced errors, and their physicality on the boards was overwhelming. The Gamecocks out-rebounded the Longhorns, especially on the offensive end, which led to extra possessions and second-chance opportunities. Texas simply could not match South Carolina’s intensity in these areas, which ultimately contributed to their inability to mount any serious comeback in the second half.
South Carolina’s Dominant Play
South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, was firing on all cylinders. The Gamecocks’ defense was suffocating, forcing Texas into contested shots and limiting their scoring opportunities. Offensively, South Carolina was able to control the game through their size and depth, dominating the paint and consistently scoring inside.
The Gamecocks’ balance on offense was evident, with multiple players stepping up to contribute. South Carolina was able to work the ball around and find the open man, especially in the second and third quarters, where their offense began to pull away. Their defense, however, was the standout of the game, making it difficult for Texas to execute their usual fast-paced game plan. South Carolina’s ability to lock down on defense, coupled with their offensive efficiency, allowed them to build and maintain a lead throughout the game.
Texas’ Struggles and What Went Wrong
For the Longhorns, it was a night of missed opportunities and uncharacteristic errors. Texas simply couldn’t get anything going offensively. The combination of South Carolina’s stifling defense and Texas’ shooting struggles left the Longhorns unable to find any offensive rhythm. The second quarter was especially damaging, as the Longhorns were held to just six points, and they never recovered from that offensive drought.
On top of that, Texas struggled in areas they had been strong all season—turnovers and offensive rebounds. South Carolina capitalized on Texas’ 15 turnovers, turning many of them into points on the other end. The Longhorns’ inability to secure key offensive rebounds meant that South Carolina had far more opportunities to score. When the Longhorns couldn’t convert on their end, the Gamecocks ensured they had the ball back and made the most of it.
Though Texas’ star players—such as Rori Harmon and Audrey Warren—played hard and made efforts to spark the offense, they were constantly met with resistance from South Carolina’s defense. The Longhorns couldn’t get into any flow, with many of their possessions either resulting in contested shots or turnovers.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Texas?
While this loss stings, it doesn’t define the Texas women’s basketball program. The Longhorns still have a lot to be proud of, as they’ve had an outstanding season, finishing at the top of the rankings and making a deep run in the SEC Championship. They will take valuable lessons from this game into the NCAA Tournament, where they’ll look to rebound and make another strong push for a national title.
For head coach Vic Schaefer, the loss is an opportunity to reassess and refine the team’s approach as they move into postseason play. The Longhorns have the talent to compete with anyone in the country, but they will need to address their shooting struggles, turnovers, and rebounding issues if they are to have success in the NCAA Tournament.
Texas’ path to redemption will begin with focusing on the areas that hurt them against South Carolina. They will need to focus on playing with more consistency and poise, while also emphasizing team defense and securing critical rebounds. With their high-caliber players and a coach who knows how to prepare his team for the big moments, the Longhorns are still in a prime position to chase their championship dreams.
A Setback, Not a Defeat
Though the loss to South Carolina in the SEC Championship was disappointing, the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team is far from being defeated. With the postseason on the horizon, the Longhorns have an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and come out even stronger. This defeat will likely serve as a crucial learning moment for the team, offering them the chance to adjust and improve as they pursue their ultimate goal—a national championship.
The Longhorns are still one of the most dangerous teams in women’s college basketball, and this setback will only fuel their determination as they move forward. They know the road to a national title is long and challenging, but they have the talent, coaching, and grit to make that dream a reality. The loss to South Carolina is just another chapter in their journey, and the best is yet to come for the Texas Longhorns.