The South Carolina Gamecocks showcased their defensive prowess, defeating top-seeded Texas Longhorns 64-45 in the SEC Tournament championship game, solidifying their supremacy beyond seeding debates.
SEC CHAMPIONS!
The South Carolina Gamecocks claimed their ninth SEC Tournament championship by beating the number-one ranked Texas Longhorns 64-45 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
South Carolina kept Texas from scoring for the first six and a half minutes of the second quarter. During this period, the Gamecocks increased their lead from two points to 17.
The Lady Gamecocks’ defense played a key role in the victory, holding the Longhorns to a season-low 45 points and limiting SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker to just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Offensively, South Carolina dominated the paint, scoring 46 points, with strong performances from the Gamecocks’ front line. Sania Feagin contributed 11 points and six rebounds, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Tessa Johnson added 14 points, including a 2-of-3 showing from beyond the arc, while also delivering excellent defense against Booker.
Chloe Kitts scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, earning MVP honors for the tournament. She left the game to a standing ovation with just over a minute remaining.
The tournament win not only secures South Carolina’s third consecutive SEC Tournament win but also marks Dawn Staley’s ninth title in the last 11 years. South Carolina’s decisive victory over the Texas Longhorns showed their dominance, eliminating any doubt stemming from the coin flip used to determine the team as the No. 1 seed.
