GREENVILLE S.C.- The University of Texas has carved out a rivalry with conference counterpart the South Carolina Gamecocks. The two teams have had some gutsy battles since Texas head coach Vince Schaffer took over the program in 2020 and winning the title in 2024. South Carolina have split their two matchups this season. With The Gamecocks winning the most recent contest. Texas and South Carolina meet in the 2026 SEC tournament for the second consecutive year.
Texas is led by junior forward Madison Booker. Booker had a dominant performance in this year’s semifinal against Mississippi putting up a double-double of 31points and 11 assist. For South Carolina senior point guard and floor general Raven Johnson, an already proven winner sent al little reminder to fans viewing and those in attendance. Johnson, an Atlanta native had 22points and 8 assist with some key baskets at critical points in the game.
“They forced to play a certain way. Turning over the ball is no way to start a game against Texas, said HC South CarolinaDawn Staley.
Texas wins the opening tip-off and get on the board first with a layup from junior forward Breya Cunningham via sophomore forward Justice Carlton. A string of early turnovers from South Carolina help Texas jump out to a 14-0 lead to start the ball game. South Carolina committed 4 turnovers through the first 3 minutes of the game.
Texas wins the opening tip-off and get on the board first with a layup from junior forward Breya Cunningham via sophomore forward Justice Carlton. A string of early turnovers from South Carolina help Texas jump out to a 14-0 lead to start the ball game. South Carolina committed 4 turnovers through the first 3 minutes of the game.
Coming out of the first timeout senior Raven Johnson for the Gamecocks makes her way through a tight Texas press to find Tessa Johnson at the top of the key for a 3-pointer, The Gamecocks fist points of the game. The first quarter ends with South Carolina climbing out of a whole with the Longhorns ahead 27-12.
With 6:20 left in the half the Gamecocks continue their climb as they put the game within 10 points. South Carolina locked in on defense and were able to force Texas into a couple of turnovers. The half ends with the Longhorns up 45-28 over the Gamecocks. South Carolina only shooting only 40 percent from the floor compared to 61 percent by Texas. The Gamecocks just weren’t shooting very well while Carlton for Texas had been efficient making 6-7 shots in the first half.
South Carolina scores the first pints out of the half as they looked inside to try and chip away at the Texas halftime lead.
The 3rd quarter ends with the game not out of reach for the Gamecocks. Texas in a fight up 57-44 with the Longhorns up by 13.
With NCAA tournament seeding on the line as well as for South Carolina their 4th consecutive tournament title in jeopardy. The 4th quarter starts with a heaviness as the mostly garnet crowd waits intently to view the outcome.
Approaching the 6 minutes left in the game, the Gamecocks are desperately trying to shorting the gap as Joyce Edwards converts a basket and one to make it 63-52 Texas.
With 3 minutes to go the Gamecocks fail to convert to free throws after a technical foul was called on #1 for Texas. To add insult to injury Joyce Edwards commits a turnover on the ensuing inbound.
From the start of the game Texas seemed poised and ready to execute while the Gamecocks looked sloppy from the stat and could never quite climb out of the 10 plus point deficit Texas held the majority of the game.
The Gamecocks shot just 40 percent from the field and 52 percent from the field. The story of the game for South Carolina was missed shots. The Longhorns pull off the upset 78-61 over The Gamecocks.
