Texas shocks South Carolina in SEC Championship game

Texas won its first Southeastern Conference Tournament title with a 78-61 victory over three-time defending champion and third-ranked South Carolina on Sunday behind 18 points from Madison Booker. Texas made its first seven shots and led 14-0 after five early South Carolina turnovers. This game was never close. Tessa Johnson finally hit a 3 to get the Gamecocks on the board.

Booker was named MVP of the tournament. Justice Carlton added 15 points and Jordan Lee had 12 for the Longhorns who joined the SEC in 2024.

Texas shot 57% from the field to avenge last year’s 19-point loss to the Gamecocks in the championship game.

Joyce Edwards had 13 points for the Gamecocks who had their 12-game winning streak snapped.

Carlton outscored South Carolina herself in the first quarter, finishing with 13 points. Texas built a 27-12 lead by shooting 68% from the field. With a large South Carolina crowd on hand, the Longhorns didn't let up, pushing the lead to 17 at the break. This was the largest halftime deficit in the SEC Tournament for South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley.

South Carolina got within 11 with 5:22 left. However, Lee answered with a 3 and later pushed the lead to 16 with a driving layup with two minutes left. Booker then sealed the Longhorns' eighth straight win with a jumper.

The atmosphere in the arena was electric as the clock wound down, with Texas fans cheering loudly for their team's dominant performance. The Longhorns' bench was on their feet, celebrating every basket and defensive stop, while the South Carolina supporters sat in stunned silence. As Booker hit the final jumper, the Texas contingent erupted in applause, knowing their team had clinched a historic victory.