In a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse women's college basketball teams, No. 4 Texas emerged victorious over No. 2 South Carolina with a final score of 66-62. The Longhorns' Madison Booker delivered a standout performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Rori Harmon's clutch free throws in the closing seconds secured the win for Texas.
Harmon's two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining extended Texas' lead from two points to four, ultimately sealing the fate of the Gamecocks. South Carolina's Sania Feagin attempted a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds, but it fell short, allowing Texas to claim their eighth consecutive victory and 20th straight home win dating back to January 2024.
Backup center Kyla Oldacre played a pivotal role for Texas, contributing 13 points with eight of them coming in the crucial fourth quarter. Meanwhile, South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley led her team with 13 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Longhorns' strong performance.
Notably, Texas outscored South Carolina 40-26 in the paint and 19-12 in second-chance points, highlighting their dominance in key areas of the game. The Gamecocks struggled with their shooting, posting a 36.8% field goal percentage, marking one of their lowest shooting performances of the season.
Coach Vic Schaefer's Texas team managed to secure a significant victory over Dawn Staley's South Carolina squad, with Schaefer now holding a 4-14 record against Staley. The Longhorns capitalized on key moments, including Oldacre's back-to-back layups that gave them a crucial five-point lead late in the game.
Looking ahead, both teams will have a quick turnaround as they prepare for their next matchups on Thursday. South Carolina is set to host Florida, while Texas will hit the road to face Kentucky in what promises to be another exciting chapter in their respective seasons.
For more updates and news on women's college basketball, stay tuned to the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season.
