Texas wins first SEC women's basketball tournament title with 78-61 victory over South Carolina

March 9, 2026

Texas claimed its first Southeastern Conference tournament championship Sunday afternoon in Greenville, beating South Carolina 78-61. The Longhorns' win ended the Gamecocks' attempt to stretch a conference-tournament streak to four straight titles, and marked a milestone for the Texas program.

Texas set the tone early, ripping off a 14-0 run inside the game's opening minutes and never surrendering control. South Carolina struggled to chip away at the deficit and crowd noise made communication difficult for the Gamecocks, while Texas responded to every push with timely offense and defense.

The Longhorns out-rebounded and out-shot South Carolina across the matchup, turning physical play and depth into separation on the scoreboard. Coaches and players credited focus and toughness as the deciding factors, pointing to preparation that emphasized playing hard for the full 40 minutes.

Head coach Vic Schaefer praised his team's focus and resilience, saying his players showed the determination he had been seeking earlier in the season. Schaefer noted he trusted the group to execute in a hostile environment, and he highlighted how their composure kept momentum on Texas' side.

Fifth-year point guard Rori Harmon played a steady role in directing the offense amid the crowd, and teammates followed her lead on both ends. Harmon described the team's composure as central to success, stressing communication and discipline when the Gamecocks tried to mount runs.

Junior forward Madison Booker celebrated with coaches and teammates as streamers fell after the final whistle, a visual end to a historic afternoon for the program. Back in Austin, the UT Tower is set to be lit in recognition of the title, and the Longhorns quickly turned their attention toward the NCAA tournament, aiming to build on this triumph as they prepare for the postseason.