Texas Women’s Basketball Achieves Historic Victory
Texas Women’s Basketball has not won an SEC Tournament championship since joining the conference in 2024. The team faced South Carolina in the championship game held in Greenville, S.C., on March 8, 2026. In a commanding performance, Texas secured a decisive victory with a final score of 78-61, marking a significant achievement for the program.
The game began with Texas making a strong statement, starting with a remarkable 14-0 run that set the tone for the match. This early lead allowed Texas to dictate the pace of the game, forcing South Carolina to play catch-up. Throughout the contest, Texas demonstrated their defensive prowess by forcing South Carolina to commit ten turnovers, which proved to be a critical factor in their victory.
Madison Booker led the scoring for Texas, finishing the game with a game-high 18 points and earning the title of tournament MVP. Justice Carlton contributed significantly with 15 points, shooting an impressive 6-for-8 from the field, while Jordan Lee added 12 points, including two successful three-point attempts. Texas’s offensive strategy was effective, as they scored 51 percent of their points from the paint, totaling 40 points in that area alone.
With this victory, Texas Women’s Basketball not only claimed their first SEC Tournament championship but also improved their overall record to 31 wins against just three losses this season. This includes an impressive 14 wins over AP ranked opponents, three of which were against top-five teams. Coach Vic Schaefer made history by becoming the first coach to win a women’s SEC tournament title at multiple schools, further solidifying his legacy in collegiate basketball.
Following the game, Madison Booker expressed her confidence in the team’s place within the SEC, stating, “We belong in the SEC.” This sentiment reflects the hard work and determination that the team has exhibited throughout the season. Conversely, South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, acknowledged the challenges her team faced, saying, “Our team knows we didn’t play our best basketball, not nearly what we’re capable of doing.” Staley highlighted the impact of Texas’s aggressive play, noting, “They forced us to play a certain way. I mean, turning the ball over isn’t something that you can start a game like Texas and give them a head start.”
Looking ahead, Texas Women’s Basketball will await their seeding on Selection Sunday, which is scheduled for March 15. The anticipation surrounding their performance in the SEC Tournament and their overall season record has positioned them as a formidable contender in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
As the team celebrates this historic win, the focus will now shift to preparing for the challenges that lie ahead in the postseason. The victory against South Carolina not only serves as a testament to their skill and teamwork but also sets a promising tone for their future endeavors in the NCAA tournament.