Texas Wins First SEC Women's Tournament Title in Upset

Sometimes the new kid on the block shows up ready to make history.

Texas dominated South Carolina from the opening tip Sunday, racing to a shocking 14-0 lead in the first five minutes and never looking back. The Longhorns cruised to a 78-61 victory in Greenville, South Carolina, claiming their first SEC tournament championship in front of a crowd packed with stunned Gamecocks fans.

"I had some kids that were here on a mission," said Texas coach Vic Schaefer after the game.

That mission started with relentless pressure from the jump. Texas opened the game making their first seven shots, six of them in the paint where South Carolina typically dominates. By the time the Gamecocks tried to respond, they were already facing a mountain too steep to climb.

Tournament MVP Madison Booker led the charge with 18 points, averaging 20 points per game on 61% shooting across three tournament wins. Her message after the final buzzer was clear and confident.

"We belong in the SEC," Booker said. "We're here to play, and we're here to win."

The victory marked the worst SEC tournament loss for South Carolina since 2011. The Gamecocks had won the previous three conference titles and appeared unstoppable heading into Sunday. Instead, they looked mentally and physically drained from the opening whistle.

Texas took full advantage. Justice Carlton poured in 13 first-quarter points, repeatedly driving the lane and setting an aggressive tone. Every time South Carolina threatened to make a run, the Longhorns had an answer, never letting their lead dip below double digits.

Schaefer became the first coach to win SEC women's tournament titles at multiple schools, having previously won with Mississippi State in 2019. His pre-game message focused on toughness, resilience, and bringing an edge to a hostile environment.

His players delivered exactly that.

Why This Inspires

Texas now has 14 wins over ranked opponents this season, including three against top-five teams. They proved that newcomers can compete with established powerhouses when they show up with confidence and preparation. Their journey from SEC newcomers to conference champions happened in just one season.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley reminded her team that the last time they lost a tournament like this, they won the national championship. Both teams are expected to earn top seeds in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

Texas is playing its best basketball at exactly the right time, and they're showing everyone that they're not just participating in the SEC—they're ready to dominate it.