The No. 2 South Carolina women's basketball team suffered a 66-62 loss against the No. 4 Texas Longhorns at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, ending the Gamecocks' 48-game winning streak against SEC opponents.
"They did a really good job at covering up and being disruptive and forcing us out of our spots," head coach Dawn Staley said. "It was a really good defensive game."
The opening quarter was tightly contested, with Texas leading 18-16 by the end of the period. Texas senior forward Taylor Jones, who had been held scoreless in the previous matchup against South Carolina in January, made a significant impact early, contributing 7 points and three rebounds with sophomore forward Madison Booker scoring 6 points for the Longhorns.
For the Gamecocks, sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley led with 3 points. The quarter was marked by frequent, costly fouls totaling 16, which disrupted the flow for both teams.
Texas extended its lead in the second quarter, outscoring South Carolina 18-11 to take a 36-27 advantage into halftime. The Longhorns' defense held the Gamecocks to just 1-6 from the perimeter in the quarter while also forcing three turnovers.
Jones continued her strong performance, finishing the half with 11 points, six rebounds and four steals while Fulwiley led the Gamecocks with 7 points.
South Carolina responded in the third quarter, erasing the 9 point-halftime deficit to tie the game at 49-49 by the end of the period in large part due to the success the Gamecocks found from beyond the arc, hitting 3 3-pointers in the quarter.
Senior forward Sania Feagin played a crucial role, scoring 4 early points to spark the comeback. Despite the Gamecocks' surge in this quarter, Booker continued to heat up, leading all scorers with 15 points by the end of the quarter.
The final quarter remained close with neither team separating itself from the other. With 15 seconds remaining and Texas leading by 2, sophomore guard Tessa Johnson drove to the basket but missed a contested layup. The Longhorns secured the rebound and made the final free throws to seal the victory. Rebounds served as a crucial asset in this game.
"They probably got the advantage on the rebounding, so we gotta get better in that area," Staley said.
Booker finished with a double-double, recording 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Fulwiley added 13 points for South Carolina. The loss snapped South Carolina's 48-game winning streak against SEC opponents.
Both teams battle foul trouble
From the whistle, both teams struggled with foul trouble, as the first quarter alone saw a combined 16 fouls, disrupting offensive flow and leading to frequent trips to the free-throw line.
Texas took advantage of these opportunities, with Jones and Booker each shooting eight combined free throws that allowed them to establish an early rhythm to start the game.
In the second half, South Carolina's aggressive defense led to foul trouble for players such as senior guard Bree Hall and junior forward Chloe Kitts, limiting their ability to contest shots and defend effectively.
Three-pointers keep Gamecocks in it
Despite struggling in the first half, the Gamecocks kept the 3-pointers coming, shooting 19 and connecting on five of them. South Carolina's 3-point shooting was the most successful part of its offense in the second half to help comeback against Texas' defense.
The Gamecocks could not consistently convert from long-range in the final quarter when it mattered most, despite the improved shooting. Texas' perimeter defense was locking down, forcing the Gamecocks into contested shots and limiting its shot success from deep.
Texas' lockdown defense
Texas' defense was the difference maker in the win over South Carolina. From the opening quarter, the Longhorns' aggressive defensive approach halted the Gamecocks' ball rhythm, forcing them into tough shots and capitalizing on 10 crucial turnovers.
Jones and Booker controlled interior defense, helping with crucial steals and blocks that prevented South Carolina from establishing any lead the whole game.
As South Carolina started to comeback in the third quarter, the Longhorns adjusted quickly by tightening its perimeter defense, closing off vital open 3-point opportunities in the final minutes, and getting a crucial stop on Tessa Johnson's end of game drive.
What’s next?
The South Carolina Gamecock women's basketball team is set to host the Florida Gators on Feb. 13. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.