GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The Texas Longhorns showcased their resilience on Saturday night, topping the ninth-ranked LSU Tigers 56-49 to secure their place in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship game. Madison Booker led her team with 25 points, proving instrumental as Texas pushed through to victory.
The Longhorns, boasting a remarkable record of 31-2, will face off against fifth-ranked South Carolina, who earlier defeated No. 10 Oklahoma 93-75. This matchup is particularly significant, as Texas had previously lost to South Carolina 67-50 on January 12, 2025. The Longhorns were able to avenge this loss last month with a tight 66-62 win in Austin. With this latest victory, Texas has now strung together 15 consecutive wins, raising expectations as they head to the championship match.
LSU, meanwhile, finished the season with an impressive record of 28-5 but faced substantial challenges during the game. The Tigers were already missing star player Flau’Jae Johnson due to a shin injury, which put them at a disadvantage. Things worsened when Aneesah Morrow, who had set a school tournament record by scoring 36 points the previous night against Florida, suffered a left ankle injury during the third quarter. Morrow went down after stepping on the foot of another player, and she had to leave the game, needing assistance to exit the floor. Despite her return to the bench wearing a boot, her absence left LSU scrambling for solutions.
Mikaylah Williams emerged as LSU's top scorer with 11 points, but even with her contributions, the team struggled to make a significant impact following Morrow's injury. The game saw LSU only convert 9 of their 17 attempts from the free-throw line, which proved detrimental to their efforts to close the gap against the Longhorns.
Texas took advantage of the shifting momentum following Morrow's exit, expertly maintaining their lead. Booker showcased her prowess early on, clocking 18 points by halftime to help Texas establish a 29-23 advantage. The Tigers weren't able to catch up after Morrow left the game trailing 32-27 with 8:40 left.
Both teams exhibited tenacity throughout the contest, but it was Texas who held on firmly to Succeed. With their victory now behind them, they prepare to meet South Carolina, who boast an impressive 17-1 all-time record in SEC Tournament games held in Greenville, presenting yet another formidable challenge.
Texas’ ability to neutralize LSU’s efforts will be tested once more as they gear up for this consequential game. The stakes are significant; victory could shape their postseason aspirations markedly. Should Texas manage to best South Carolina, they will secure not only the tournament title but also solidify their position as strong contenders for the NCAA Tournament.
With this championship match looming, Texas fans are hopeful, holding their breath as their team marches onward this season. The anticipation is palpable, and as they prepare to step onto the court against South Carolina, the Longhorns aim to prove they've learned from past encounters.
For LSU, the future still remains bright as they are expected to host NCAA Tournament games. Their strong showing throughout the season, highlighted by remarkable individual performances, should see them well-positioned as they head forward.