Texas Longhorns Crush South Carolina to Win SEC Women's Basketball Tournament

The win could potentially move Texas to the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 78-61 to win the Southeastern Conference tournament championship in Greenville, South Carolina. The Longhorns jumped out to an early lead and controlled the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 17 points at halftime. Texas forward Madison Booker led the team with 18 points, while Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee also scored in double figures. The win could potentially move the Longhorns to the No. 3 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, keeping them in Texas through the regional final.

Why it matters

This victory gives the Texas Longhorns their first-ever SEC tournament championship and could significantly impact their seeding in the NCAA Tournament. As one of the top teams in the country, the Longhorns' performance in this game demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level and sets them up for a deep tournament run.

The details

The Longhorns dominated the game from the opening tip, leading 27-12 after the first quarter and 45-28 at halftime. They continued to pull away in the second half, outscoring the Gamecocks 33-33 in the final two quarters. Texas shot an impressive 54% from the field and converted 14 South Carolina turnovers into 16 points. The Longhorns also outrebounded the Gamecocks 35-26, including 11-6 on the offensive end.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • The Longhorns and Gamecocks had split a pair of games during the regular season, setting up this rubber match in the SEC tournament final.

The players

Texas Longhorns

The women's basketball team from the University of Texas at Austin, one of the top programs in the country.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The women's basketball team from the University of South Carolina, the regular season champions of the SEC.

Madison Booker

A forward for the Texas Longhorns who led the team with 18 points in the championship game.

Justice Carlton

A forward for the Texas Longhorns who scored 15 points, 13 of which came in the first quarter to set the tone for the game.

Jordan Lee

A guard for the Texas Longhorns who contributed 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

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What they’re saying

“This win could potentially move us to the No. 3 overall seed and keep us in Texas through the regional final. However, that won't be announced until Selection Sunday.”

— Texas Head Coach

What’s next

The Longhorns will await their seeding and opponent for the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced on Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Texas Longhorns have proven themselves as one of the elite women's basketball programs in the country, capturing their first SEC tournament championship and positioning themselves for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Their dominant performance against the regular season champion Gamecocks showcases their ability to compete at the highest level.