No. 4 Texas Defeats No. 3 South Carolina in SEC Title Game

Longhorns dominate Gamecocks to claim conference championship

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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No. 4 Texas defeated No. 3 South Carolina 78-61 to win the SEC women's basketball championship on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. The Longhorns raced out to a 27-12 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, led by strong performances from Justice Carlton, Madison Booker, and Jordan Lee.

Why it matters

This victory for the Longhorns marks their eighth straight win and 13th in their last 14 games, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the country. The loss for the Gamecocks ends their 12-game winning streak and denies them a chance to win the SEC title.

The details

Texas jumped out to a hot start, with Justice Carlton scoring 13 of her 15 points in the first quarter to help the Longhorns build a 15-point lead. The Gamecocks were unable to mount a serious comeback, despite getting within 11 points in the fourth quarter. Madison Booker led Texas with 18 points, while Jordan Lee added 12.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • Texas and South Carolina previously met in the title game of the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas on November 27, with Texas winning 66-64.

The players

Justice Carlton

A Texas player who scored 13 of her 15 points in the first quarter to help the Longhorns build an early lead.

Madison Booker

The leading scorer for Texas, pouring in 18 points in the victory.

Jordan Lee

A Texas player who scored 12 points, including a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to help the Longhorns pull away.

Joyce Edwards

The leading scorer for South Carolina with 13 points.

Maddy McDaniel

A South Carolina player who scored 10 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This victory for the Longhorns solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the country and denies the Gamecocks a chance to win the SEC title. The game showcased the depth and talent of the Texas squad, as they were able to pull away from South Carolina despite strong efforts from the Gamecocks' top players.