South Carolina Edges Texas in Gritty Showdown, Late-Game Decision Raises Eyebrows
In a battle between two of the nation’s top teams, No. 4 Texas and No.
2 South Carolina delivered the kind of heavyweight clash you'd expect - physical, intense, and decided by the slimmest of margins. But as the final buzzer sounded in Columbia, it wasn’t just the Gamecocks’ 68-65 win that had people talking.
It was the way the game ended - or more specifically, how Texas let it end - that left fans scratching their heads.
Let’s start with what we saw on the floor: two elite programs going toe-to-toe in a rematch of their November thriller, which Texas narrowly won 66-64. This time, South Carolina flipped the script, improving to 18-1 on the season and handing the Longhorns just their second loss (18-2). Every possession felt like it mattered - and in a game this tight, that’s because it did.
Booker Shines, But Texas Goes Cold From Deep
Texas got another standout performance from All-American Madison Booker, who poured in 24 points and carried the offensive load for much of the night. Rori Harmon added 16 points, five boards, and five assists, doing her usual work as a floor general and defensive pest.
But the Longhorns struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting just one of their nine attempts from three-point range. That cold shooting night loomed large, especially against a South Carolina team that doesn’t give you many second chances.
Despite Texas applying relentless full-court pressure throughout the game, South Carolina’s starters all found their way into double figures. Joyce Edwards led the way with 14 points in a well-balanced offensive effort. The Gamecocks didn’t flinch under pressure - literally and figuratively - and that poise in the face of Texas’ defensive intensity was a key difference-maker.
The Final Sequence: A Missed Opportunity
But let’s talk about that final sequence. With just over seven seconds left and South Carolina clinging to a three-point lead, the Gamecocks inbounded the ball. Texas, with no timeouts remaining, had one last card to play: foul quickly, send South Carolina to the line, and hope for a missed free throw to give themselves a shot at tying the game.
That foul never came.
Harmon was in position to foul immediately on the catch - and didn’t. The clock ticked down.
South Carolina dribbled out the final seconds uncontested. Game over.
It was a surprising call - or non-call - from head coach Vic Schaefer, especially considering the game was still within reach. Even with no timeouts, Texas could’ve had one last possession with a rebound and a quick push up the floor. Instead, they never got the chance.
In a one-possession game, those are the moments that linger. And while a made free throw would’ve likely iced it for South Carolina, a miss could’ve opened the door for a miracle. You don’t expect a team as battle-tested as Texas to leave that door closed.
Schaefer Praises His Team’s Grit
After the game, Schaefer didn’t directly address the decision not to foul, but he made it clear how proud he was of his team’s effort.
“Two teams really just compete and play their hearts out. I’m very proud of my kids,” Schaefer said.
“I think we’re in a tough spot, and I’m just proud of how hard they played and their focus tonight… But, I can’t fault my kids tonight. They played their heart out.”
Schaefer’s message was one of resilience. He acknowledged the grind - Texas has been on the road for six days - and emphasized the competitive fire on both sidelines.
“When I walk off that floor tonight, I know I’ve got a hell of a team. And we’d stay overnight, play tomorrow if they want to. We just came up a little short tonight.”
He also pointed to the razor-thin margin that often separates wins from losses in games like this.
“Two really good teams, two really competitive teams full of competitive kids. Probably got two competitive coaches too,” he said.
“And we all know, myself included, whether it’s an out-of-bounds play I called, and we didn’t get it in - my turnover, right? So we can all be accountable for the one possession that the game hits.”
What It Means Going Forward
There’s no shame in losing a game like this on the road to a top-ranked opponent. In fact, it might be the kind of loss that sharpens Texas heading into the heart of the season. They went toe-to-toe with a powerhouse, and despite the missed opportunity at the end, they showed they belong in the national title conversation.
But that final sequence? It’s going to stick. Not because it defines this team - far from it - but because in a game where every second mattered, Texas let the last few tick away without a fight.
And in March, those are the kinds of moments that separate the good from the great.