Texas Captures First SEC Tournament Title with Win Over South Carolina.

The University of Texas women’s basketball team captured its first Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship after defeating South Carolina 78–61 on March 9, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. The fourth-ranked Longhorns delivered a dominant performance against the third-ranked Gamecocks, who had won the previous three SEC Tournament titles. Texas guard Madison Booker led the team with 18 points and earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. Teammates Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee contributed 15 and 12 points respectively. With the victory, the Longhorns improved their record to 31–3 and secured their first conference tournament title since joining the SEC in 2024. Texas established control early in the game. The Longhorns opened with a 14–0 run while South Carolina committed several early turnovers. Texas also displayed impressive shooting efficiency, converting 57 percent of its field-goal attempts throughout the game. In the first quarter alone, Carlton scored 13 points, helping Texas build a 27–12 lead. South Carolina, led by Joyce Edwards with 13 points, struggled to regain momentum. The Gamecocks entered the matchup on a 12-game winning streak but faced their largest halftime deficit in SEC Tournament play under head coach Dawn Staley. Texas led by 17 points at halftime and maintained control for the remainder of the contest.

Although South Carolina narrowed the deficit to 11 points late in the fourth quarter, Texas responded quickly. Lee knocked down a three-pointer and later extended the lead with a driving layup. Booker sealed the victory with a jumper in the final minutes, securing the Longhorns’ eighth consecutive win. Both Texas and South Carolina are projected to receive No. 1 seeds in the upcoming NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.