GREENVILLE, S.C. — Madison Booker was the star of the night, scoring an impressive 25 points as the No. 1 seeded Texas triumphed over the ninth-ranked LSU with a score of 56-49. This hard-fought victory on Saturday night secured Texas a spot in the prestigious Southeastern Conference Tournament final.
Awaiting Texas in the championship showdown is South Carolina, the fifth-ranked team that sailed past No. 10 Oklahoma with a commanding 93-75 win earlier that day. The matchup promises to be intense, as Texas seeks to assert its dominance once more after their previous encounters this season.
Following their stumble against South Carolina on January 12, where Texas lost 67-50, the Longhorns turned the tide with a redeeming 66-62 win in Austin last month. Texas has since maintained an unbeaten streak, racking up 15 straight victories leading to this stage.
LSU, holding a 28-5 record this season, faced challenges on the court, particularly with star player Flau’Jae Johnson absent due to a shin injury. The team’s troubles deepened when Aneesah Morrow sustained a left ankle injury in the third quarter. Morrow, who had delivered an extraordinary 36-point performance against Florida just the previous night, was unfortunate to step on an opponent’s foot and required assistance to leave the court. She returned later, visibly hampered, with a protective boot on her left foot.
Mikaylah Williams emerged as LSU’s leading scorer, contributing 11 points. The team fell short at critical moments, unable to recover after losing Morrow when trailing by a close 32-27 early in the third quarter.
Off the court, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey was absent from her usual active role, allowing assistant coach Bob Starkey to guide the team due to her personal loss. Mulkey, however, was present on the bench, intermittently advising and strategizing alongside Starkey.
Texas showcased a strong first half, spearheaded by Booker’s 18-point effort, which helped the Longhorns establish a 29-23 lead going into the intermission. However, LSU’s performance at the foul line left much to be desired, as they only managed nine of their 17 attempts.
As Texas turns its attention to South Carolina, the history books reveal an imposing opponent. South Carolina boasts a remarkable record in SEC Tournament games held in Greenville. Meanwhile, LSU is poised to host an NCAA Tournament game, eager to bounce back from this setback.
