South Carolina dominated the SEC Tournament, finishing it off with a championship win and locking in the No. 1 seed for the March Madness tournament. The Gamecocks took on the Texas Longhorns and showed why they’re the best in the SEC, using their defense and inside presence to shut them down.
This marks South Carolina’s third consecutive SEC tournament title with a 64-45 victory over Texas. The Gamecocks played great defense, holding Texas to just 29.6% shooting and forcing 18 turnovers. They also dominated in the paint, outscoring Texas 40-18.
Many players contributed to the win, but certain ones stood out. Chloe Kitts was named the SEC tournament MVP, averaging 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds through the tournament. In the championship game, Kitts led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds. Tessa Johnson added 14 points off the bench, hitting key three-pointers that helped extend South Carolina’s lead. Sania Feagin contributed 11 points, with a strong third quarter performance, while Joyce Edwards also scored 11 points, continuing her streak of double-figure scoring games.
Coach Dawn Staley expressed her pride in the team’s performance and their ability to consistently play at a high level. Staley highlighted the advantage of having experienced players who understand the intensity of the SEC Tournament.
Sania Feagin praised Bree Hall’s defense on Madison Booker, recalling their last matchup when Booker told Hall, “You can’t f—ing guard me.”
During the celebration, Hall fired back, saying, “Who can’t guard who?”, showing her ability to bounce back.
Chloe Kitts also acknowledged the impact of the fans, saying, “It’s amazing, it almost feels the same. All those fans came out and supported us. We appreciate it so much.”
With the SEC Tournament victory, South Carolina locked in its No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. Dawn Staley emphasized their tough schedule and strong performances against top-ranked teams as proof that they deserve the top overall seed. ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme projected South Carolina as the new No. 1 overall seed following their dominant win over Texas. South Carolina’s run through the SEC Tournament showed their resilience, talent, and determination, making them a team to look out for heading into March Madness.
