GREENVILLE, S.C. — The South Carolina women's basketball team claimed its third consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship on March 9, 2025, with a dominant 64-45 performance against Texas at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. This victory marked South Carolina's ninth SEC tournament title under head coach Dawn Staley and solidified their prowess as one of the top programs in women’s basketball.
En route to this emphatic win, South Carolina's defense displayed exceptional intensity, restricting Texas to just 45 points, which tied for the fewest ever scored by a team in the SEC Championship Game, matching the record set by Vanderbilt in 2007. The Gamecocks (30-3) entered the game with confidence, boasting victories over OKlahoma (93-75) and Vanderbilt (84-63) leading up to the final.
After maintaining only a narrow 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Gamecocks significantly increased their advantage by outscoring Texas (31-3) 21-6 during the second quarter. This aggressive burst included a remarkable 13-0 run, which defined the rhythm of the game and left Texas reeling. By halftime, South Carolina established control with a commanding 33-16 lead.
Chloe Kitts, who was later named the tournament MVP, spearheaded the Gamecocks’ offense with 15 points and nine rebounds. Kitts had displayed her scoring ability earlier, including scoring 25 points against Vanderbilt. Her consistent performance, alongside contributions from Tessa Johnson with 14 points, proved pivotal against the Longhorns.
Texas faced overwhelming challenges from the outset as South Carolina’s defense forced 18 turnovers during the contest, preventing Texas from finding any rhythm. SEC Player of the Year, Madison Booker, was thwarted effectively by the Gamecocks, finishing with only 10 points from 4-of-13 shooting. For Texas, Rori Harmon and Taylor Jones each chipped in with 14 points, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit created by South Carolina's tenacious defense.
Texas’ struggles highlighted the team's off-night, where they shot just 29.6% from the field. They did not make their first three-pointer until the fourth quarter, with Booker finally connecting with 4:24 remaining. This shooting inefficiency reflected the overall challenge the Longhorns faced throughout the game against the relentless South Carolina defense.
Throughout the tournament, South Carolina had demonstrated its depth and talent, winning all three of its games by margins of 21, 18, and 19 points. The Gamecocks didn’t just clinch the title; they made their case for one of the top seeds for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Following such strong performances, head coach Dawn Staley praised her team's consistency and ability to meet high standards. "They are young people who come down here and perform to a high standard every single time they step on the floor, and for this, I am super proud of them,” Staley remarked.
The atmosphere at the arena favored South Carolina, located just 90 minutes from their home court, creating what felt like a home field advantage. Even Texas coach Vic Schaefer recognized this discomfort, stating, "To play them basically on their home floor makes it much more difficult. If we were in San Antonio, people might be yelling for us.”
For Texas, this defeat marked the end of their impressive run, having entered the SEC tournament on a 15-game winning streak. Despite the loss, expectations remain high as they await their NCAA Tournament fate, with hopes of still securing a No. 1 seed. Schaefer stated, “One quarter, one game certainly doesn't define our season,” underscoring the bigger picture for his team as they prepare for the challenges of the national tournament.
The championship match-up between South Carolina and Texas was the third meeting of the season. Each team had previously split their regular-season match-ups, with South Carolina taking the earlier game 67-50 on January 12, and Texas having edged out South Carolina 66-62 on February 9. Following their championship victory, South Carolina now holds the edge with two wins to Texas’ one.
With this victory, South Carolina has solidified its legacy within the SEC, showcasing not just their recent form but also the consistent success they've achieved, particularly under Staley's leadership. Their combination of fierce defense and balanced scoring emphasizes why this team is continuously regarded among the best. The Gamecocks’ current form sets them on a promising path as they approach the NCAA Tournament, eager to make yet another deep run.