AUSTIN, Texas — Another incredible season for the Texas women’s basketball team has once again ended just short of the national championship.
The Longhorns fell to reigning national champion South Carolina, 74-57, in the Final Four on Friday at Amalie Arena in Tampa. The loss dropped the Longhorns to 1-3 against the Gamecocks this season, which accounted for 75% of their losses.
The Longhorns started off strong, finishing the first quarter with a 19-18 lead after starting the game on a 12-4 run. After a close second quarter during which the Gamecocks were able to take a three-point lead into halftime, the wheels fell off in the third quarter. South Carolina outscored Texas 20-9 to open up a commanding 14-point lead heading into the final frame.
The Gamecocks locked the game down on the back of starters Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall’s 14 and 11 points, respectively, while Joyce Hall provided the Gamecocks with a crucial 13 points off the bench.
The Longhorns were led in scoring by Jordan Lee, who finished with 16 points off the bench. All-American Madison Booker finished with 11 points, her lowest output of the tournament. Lee and Booker were the only Longhorns to finish the game in double figures.
With the win, South Carolina advances to Sunday’s national championship game, where they will face UConn. A win on Sunday would be the third national championship won by the Gamecocks in the last four seasons.