The No. 4 Texas Longhorns (18-2) came up short against the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (18-1) in a tight battle on the run on Thursday, 68-65, evening the season series between the two juggernauts,
marking yet another instance of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley dominating the series against Texas head coach Vic Schaefer.
Overall, the Longhorns shot 43.3 from the field while hitting 92 percent from the free-throw line with 34 rebounds. Junior wing Madison Booker led Texas in her eighth game over 20 points with 24 points, five rebounds, and two assists while senior point guard Rori Harmon recorded 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Longhorns defense forced converted 15 turnover points from 20 turnovers, but gave up 15 fast break points while the bench only collected 5 points throughout the match.
For South Carolina Joyce Edwards notched 14 points and eight rebounds, Tessa Johnson added 13 points, and Raven Johnson made big shots late, scoring six of her 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter for the Gamecocks.
In the opening period, Gamecocks jumped out front opening with a three-point shot from Johnson while Harmon answered back with a pair of free throws for two out of her six points on the night. Booker battled in the paint knocking down seven points in the quarter with two rebounds and a assist. Texas held the Gamecocks to 23-percent shooting from the field and forcing six turnovers, leading the opening period, 20-13.
In the second quarter, the Gamecocks spread the ball out with Ta’Niya Latson leading with five points and an assist while seniors Raven Johnson and Madina Okot each hit for four points. The Longhorns shot for 62.5 percent even though they were out scored 19-12, but the two juggernauts ended the half tied at 32-32.
Both teams came out shooting in the third quarter with Booker leading Texas with nine points. The Gamecocks opened the half up with Latson hitting for six points helping out with the team’s 63.6 field-shooting percentage. Both teams hit for made all their free throws in the period as the Longhorns led going into the final period, 49-48.
In the fourth and final period, the South Carolina defense stepped up to hold the Texas shooting percentage to 36.8 while hitting 50 percent from the field. The final period ended with Harmon hitting a pair of free throws for the Longhorns, bringing the final to a nail biter with No. 2 South Carolina on top, 68-65.
Next up, Texas will host rival Texas A&M Aggies on Sunday at 3 p.m. Central on SEC Network.
