NO. 1 TEXAS LONGHORNS FALL TO NO. 5 SOUTH CAROLINA IN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Greenville, SC – In a stunning upset, the No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks took down the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 73-67 in the SEC Championship Game. The loss marks the first defeat of the season for the Longhorns, who had been riding a 32-game winning streak.
The Gamecocks, led by senior guard Kierra Fletcher, came out strong in the first quarter, building a 10-point lead. The Longhorns struggled to find their footing, shooting just 25% from the field in the opening period.
Despite a strong second quarter from Texas, which saw them outscore the Gamecocks 22-15, South Carolina maintained a 5-point lead at halftime.
The second half saw the Gamecocks extend their lead, thanks in large part to the dominance of Fletcher, who finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Longhorns, led by sophomore guard Rori Harmon, fought hard to close the gap, but ultimately came up short.
“We just didn’t have it tonight,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. “South Carolina played a great game, and we couldn’t match their intensity. We’ll learn from this and move forward.”
The loss is a significant setback for the Longhorns, who had been considered a lock for the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, with the tournament selection committee taking into account the entire body of work, it’s unlikely that Texas will fall far in the rankings.
“We’ll bounce back from this,” said Harmon, who finished with 22 points and 5 assists. “We’ll learn from our mistakes and come back stronger. We’re still a great team, and we’re not going to let one loss define us.”
The Gamecocks, meanwhile, are celebrating their first SEC Championship since 2017. The win marks a significant milestone for head coach Dawn Staley, who has built a powerhouse program in Columbia.
“This is an incredible feeling,” said Staley. “Our team has worked so hard all season, and to see them rewarded with a championship is just amazing. We’re not done yet, though. We’ve got our sights set on the NCAA Tournament, and we’re ready to make some noise.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE TEXAS LONGHORNS?
– The Longhorns will await their NCAA Tournament seeding, which will be announced on Selection Monday.
– Texas is still expected to receive a No. 1 seed, despite the loss to South Carolina.
– The Longhorns will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
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