“Bad Quarter Bites Texas Longhorns Again as South Carolina Advances to National Title Game with 74-57 Victory”

The Texas Longhorns’ dreams of advancing to the national title game were dashed once again by a brutal second-half collapse, as South Carolina took control to secure a decisive 74-57 victory in the NCAA women’s basketball Final Four. The loss highlighted a recurring theme for Texas in big moments—failed adjustments and inability to weather opposing runs. For South Carolina, it was a showcase of depth, discipline, and dominant play, propelling them to the national championship game.

A Tale of Two Halves

When the first half came to a close, the game was tightly contested, with Texas showing resilience against a powerful South Carolina team. Both teams were locked in a defensive battle, with the Longhorns making key stops and executing well in transition. Texas had a solid game plan, limiting South Carolina’s star players like Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke for much of the first 20 minutes.

At the half, Texas trailed by only three points, 33-30. The Longhorns had weathered the initial storm and appeared poised to take control in the second half. However, the opening minutes after the break would tell a different story.

The First Half: A Defensive Stalemate

The first half featured a defensive struggle, with both teams emphasizing tough, gritty defense. Texas, known for their aggressive press and ability to shut down the opposition’s offensive flow, appeared to have the upper hand. South Carolina, though ranked as one of the nation’s best teams, struggled to find their rhythm against the suffocating defense. The Longhorns’ ability to limit Boston’s post touches and deny Cooke space on the perimeter were key to keeping the game close.

The game was marked by physicality and contested shots. Texas guard Rori Harmon, one of the team’s standout players, showed flashes of brilliance. Her defense was stellar, and she drove the offense with precision, getting into the lane and finding open teammates. However, South Carolina’s physicality proved to be a challenge as they matched Texas’s energy. Boston, despite being relatively quiet in the first half, still contributed with timely rebounds and defensive stops.

The Second Half: South Carolina’s Surge

The second half was where South Carolina asserted their dominance. They came out of the break with renewed intensity, quickly pushing the lead to double digits. South Carolina’s defense became a suffocating wall that Texas could not breach, as turnovers and missed shots became more frequent for the Longhorns.

Aliyah Boston, who had struggled offensively in the first half, came alive in the third quarter. She scored efficiently in the post, utilizing her size and skill to overpower Texas defenders. When Texas attempted to double-team her, she found her teammates, particularly Zia Cooke and Laeticia Amihere, for easy scoring opportunities.

The Longhorns were visibly rattled, and their offense stagnated. What had been a tightly contested game became a nightmare as South Carolina’s defense and offensive execution overwhelmed Texas. South Carolina’s ability to force turnovers—capitalizing on Texas’s mistakes—became the key difference in the second half. The Longhorns struggled to execute on offense, failing to get clean looks and watching their shot attempts miss the mark.

Meanwhile, South Carolina’s depth began to shine. Amihere, who had been quiet for much of the season, stepped up with crucial rebounds and points in the paint. With players like Cooke, Boston, and Amihere contributing, South Carolina was able to stretch the lead and break Texas’s spirit.

Texas’s Struggles

For Texas, this game was another chapter in a season filled with highs and lows. The Longhorns have shown immense promise throughout the tournament, but once again, they were unable to adjust when it mattered most. While the team displayed great defensive effort, they faltered in key moments, unable to respond to South Carolina’s offensive explosion in the second half.

Rori Harmon, who had been playing with confidence, had one of her roughest performances of the season in the second half. Despite scoring some critical points early on, Harmon was limited by South Carolina’s physicality, and her turnovers became costly. The absence of a reliable second scorer outside of Harmon further hindered the Longhorns’ ability to respond to South Carolina’s run.

The Longhorns’ shooting woes also contributed to the defeat. As the game wore on, the Longhorns struggled to hit open shots. They went cold from beyond the arc and were unable to get anything going from mid-range. This stagnation in their offense allowed South Carolina to further assert themselves, as they capitalized on every Texas misstep.

South Carolina’s Championship Pedigree

South Carolina’s victory was a testament to their championship pedigree. Under head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has become one of the most dominant forces in women’s college basketball. The Gamecocks’ ability to adapt to different styles of play and to make adjustments on the fly was evident in this game.

Boston, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, reminded everyone why she is considered one of the best players in the nation. Her post moves were clinical, and her defensive presence in the paint was a constant problem for Texas. She finished with a double-double, contributing to both the scoring and rebounding efforts that ultimately wore down the Longhorns.

Zia Cooke also proved why she is one of the nation’s premier guards, leading the Gamecocks in scoring with a stellar offensive performance. Her ability to create her own shot and hit timely threes was a game-changer in the second half. Cooke and Boston combined for nearly 40 points in the game, and their dynamic play was too much for Texas to handle.

The coaching staff’s strategy of maintaining defensive pressure and getting quick transition points worked like a charm, especially in the latter stages of the game. South Carolina’s depth and ability to rely on multiple players at any given moment were key to their success. In contrast, Texas was forced to rely on a few key players, and that proved unsustainable as the game progressed.

Looking Ahead: South Carolina to the National Championship

South Carolina’s 74-57 victory over Texas sends them to the national championship game, where they will face the winner of the other Final Four matchup. This win further cements their place as one of the most dominant teams in women’s college basketball history. With a deep roster, a championship-winning coach, and star players like Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke, South Carolina is poised to make another strong run at the title.

For Texas, the loss is a bitter reminder of missed opportunities. Despite their solid play throughout the tournament and strong efforts against top-ranked teams, they once again fell short in the big moment. The Longhorns will need to reevaluate their approach in high-pressure games, finding ways to execute better in critical stretches.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Texas Longhorns were left to reflect on what could have been. A close first half had promised hope, but South Carolina’s relentless defensive effort and star performances in the second half proved too much. For the Gamecocks, the win was a testament to their championship aspirations, as they moved one step closer to a title. Their composure, depth, and the ability to turn the game around in the second half were the defining factors that led them to the national championship game.

This matchup serves as a reminder that in tournament basketball, the ability to weather adversity and execute under pressure is what separates the champions from the also-rans. South Carolina showed exactly that—adapting, executing, and proving why they are one of the most formidable teams in the country.