South Carolina Edges Texas 68–65 in Top-Five SEC Showdown
Game Recap
South Carolina defended its home court Thursday night with a hard-fought 68–65 victory over No. 4 Texas, surviving a tense final minute in a matchup that felt every bit like a postseason preview. The Gamecocks trailed by two at halftime but steadily wore down the Longhorns with physical defense, timely free throws, and clutch late-game execution.
Texas held a narrow advantage early, leading 20–13 after the first quarter, while the teams were tied 32–32 at halftime. The Longhorns continued to set the pace coming out of the break, carrying a 49–48 lead after the third quarter. The fourth quarter turned into a grind-it-out battle, but South Carolina closed stronger down the stretch. The Gamecocks capitalized on Texas turnovers, controlled the tempo late, and sealed the win at the free-throw line, forcing just enough Texas mistakes to close the game to secure a 68–65 victory.
Player of the Game
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
Edwards delivered a complete performance, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. While her shooting night was uneven, her aggression getting to the line (8-of-9 FT) and defensive impact set the tone late. She was especially impactful in the fourth quarter, helping South Carolina maintain composure under pressure.
Honorable mention goes to Madina Okot, who added 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Raven Johnson, whose 6 assists helped stabilize the offense.
Turnovers
Turnovers were a major storyline for both teams.
Texas: 22 turnovers
South Carolina: 20 turnovers
South Carolina made better use of Texas miscues, scoring 23 points off turnovers compared to Texas’ 15. The Gamecocks also held a significant edge in fast-break points (15–4), often turning defensive pressure into quick offense.
Penalties and Tempo
The game was physical from start to finish, with Texas committing 22 fouls to South Carolina’s 16. That discrepancy showed up at the free-throw line:
South Carolina: 18-of-26 (69%)
Texas: 12-of-13 (92%)
While Texas was efficient when it got to the stripe, South Carolina’s ability to draw fouls kept the tempo in its favor. The pace alternated between fast-break spurts and long half-court possessions, but South Carolina controlled the rhythm late by slowing the game and forcing Texas into contested shots.
What’s Next for South Carolina
The Gamecocks improved to 18–1 overall and 5–0 in SEC play, continuing to build a strong resume with another marquee win. If South Carolina can clean up turnovers and improve perimeter efficiency, it will remain firmly in the national title conversation. This win reinforces their identity as a tough, defense-first team capable of winning close games.
What’s Next for Texas
Texas drops to 18–2 overall and 3–2 in SEC play, but the Longhorns showed they can compete with anyone in the country. Reducing turnovers and finding more consistent three-point shooting (1-of-9) will be key moving forward. Texas’ rebounding effort and interior scoring remain strengths, and this narrow road loss should serve as motivation as conference play intensifies.