A truly historic season for the Texas Longhorns women's basketball program has come to an end. The Longhorns were denied a national championship bid by the South Carolina Gamecock's on Friday evening at Tampa's Amalie Arena. This is the third time in four meetings this year that Texas has lost to South Carolina. The stakes in this meeting were the highest they've ever been, but it was not to be for the Lady Longhorns, South Carolina pulled away 74-57.
Texas started strong, jumping out to a 12–4 lead behind Madison Booker’s hot hand. The freshman phenom scored early and often, finishing with 13 points in the first half. Rori Harmon controlled the floor with crisp ball movement and early assists to Booker and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda as the Longhorns built momentum.
Despite Texas’ early energy, the Gamecocks found their rhythm late in the first quarter, fueled by Joyce Edwards and Te-Hina Paopao. A buzzer-beating layup from Edwards cut Texas’ lead to one, 19-18, at the end of the first quarter.
South Carolina took its first lead early in the second quarter with a three-pointer from Paopao. From there, it became a back-and-forth battle. Jordan Lee hit timely jumpers for Texas, while MiLaysia Fulwiley and Edwards continued to answer for the Gamecocks. Edwards led all scorers with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
The third quarter was the turning point. South Carolina outscored Texas 20–9 in the frame, led by Bree Hall’s six-point spurt and suffocating defense that stifled the Longhorns’ offense. Booker and Harmon both struggled to convert in the paint, and Texas shot just 25% from the field in the third.
In the final period, South Carolina sealed the win with clutch shooting from Tessa Johnson and a dagger three by Maryam Dauda in the final minute. The Gamecocks’ depth proved too much, with nine players logging double-digit minutes.
Texas was led by Booker with 19 points and Rori Harmon’s 8 points and 6 assists. Taylor Jones chipped in 6 rebounds and a pair of blocks, but the Longhorns were ultimately undone by 18 turnovers and a cold shooting night from deep.
thank you, Longhorn Nation 🤘#HookEmpic.twitter.com/00OW3VHCub
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) April 5, 2025
Texas ended it's season undefeated at home, and rallied all the way to the Final Four. In their first year in the SEC they came in itching to make a statement, and they did just that.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Lady Longhorns fall short of South Carolina, 74-57
