South Carolina Gamecocks’ Victory Over Texas Longhorns in NCAA Women’s Final Four: A Historic Win

In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four, the South Carolina Gamecocks secured a decisive 74-57 victory over the Texas Longhorns, clinching a spot in the championship game. The Gamecocks, led by their dynamic star Te-Hina Paopao, put on an incredible performance, with key contributions from Bree Hall and Joyce Edwards. South Carolina’s dominating win highlighted their strength as a team and their unwavering determination to claim a national title. With the victory, the Gamecocks have firmly established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in NCAA Women’s basketball, poised for another potential championship.

The Road to the Final Four

For both teams, the journey to the Final Four was a testament to their resilience, skill, and leadership. South Carolina entered the tournament as one of the favorites, having dominated throughout the regular season and the postseason. Head coach Dawn Staley had cultivated a team that blended experience, youth, and raw talent. Paopao, in particular, had been playing with incredible focus and precision, earning herself a reputation as one of the most lethal offensive players in the country.

On the other hand, the Texas Longhorns had their own momentum, led by their superstar guard, Rori Harmon. Texas had fought through a difficult bracket, dispatching opponents with their tough defense and high-scoring offense. The Longhorns were known for their relentless playstyle, and many thought they would give South Carolina a tough challenge. However, it became clear from the first quarter of the game that South Carolina’s experience, depth, and execution would prove too much for Texas.

The Game: A Tactical Masterclass

From the opening tip-off, South Carolina set the tone for the game. They jumped out to an early lead, with Te-Hina Paopao immediately showcasing her scoring prowess. Paopao had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, but on this stage, she took her game to another level. Her deep three-pointers, quick drives to the basket, and flawless execution in transition played a key role in putting the Longhorns on their heels.

Texas, however, was not ready to fold just yet. The Longhorns’ defense, led by the tenacious play of their forwards, tried to stifle South Carolina’s offensive flow. They trapped Paopao on pick-and-roll situations and forced the Gamecocks to take difficult shots. Despite this, Paopao proved to be an unstoppable force, finishing the game with 26 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Her offensive versatility, which had been on display all season, was on full display as she attacked from all angles, consistently finding ways to score or create opportunities for her teammates.

While Paopao dominated the scoring column, Bree Hall and Joyce Edwards were pivotal in maintaining the Gamecocks’ rhythm throughout the game. Hall, who has often been known for her defensive prowess, turned in an impressive offensive performance, contributing 15 points and four assists. Her shooting from beyond the arc was instrumental in breaking Texas’ defensive schemes, hitting timely three-pointers when the Longhorns seemed to be mounting a comeback.

Joyce Edwards, South Carolina’s anchor in the post, was a constant presence on both ends of the floor. Her rebounding and shot-blocking abilities were on full display, as she grabbed nine rebounds and swatted away three Texas attempts at the rim. Edwards’ presence in the paint not only stifled Texas’ inside game but also gave the Gamecocks an advantage in second-chance opportunities, something that would prove critical in maintaining their lead.

The first half was tightly contested, with South Carolina leading 38-30 at the break. Texas’ defense had slowed the Gamecocks’ fast-paced offense at times, but South Carolina was able to capitalize on the mistakes made by the Longhorns. Despite the best efforts of Rori Harmon, who scored 14 points in the first half, Texas could not find any consistent rhythm on offense. The Gamecocks’ defense was suffocating, particularly in transition, where they disrupted Texas’ fast breaks and forced turnovers.

The Second Half: South Carolina Pulls Away

As the second half began, South Carolina came out with the same intensity that had characterized their play all season long. The Gamecocks’ defense, which was the hallmark of their success, continued to frustrate Texas’ offense. South Carolina made timely stops, including forcing multiple turnovers, and capitalized on fast-break opportunities. Paopao, in particular, thrived in transition, scoring several easy baskets that pushed the Gamecocks’ lead into double digits.

Texas, however, refused to go down without a fight. The Longhorns tried to mount a comeback with their own offensive runs, and Harmon, a player known for her scoring ability and leadership, did her best to carry her team. Harmon finished the game with 18 points, but she struggled to find consistent help. The rest of the Longhorns’ lineup was not able to match the firepower that South Carolina was putting on the floor.

South Carolina’s ability to dominate both ends of the court was evident as the game wore on. Edwards and Hall were invaluable in maintaining the Gamecocks’ lead, with Hall scoring five quick points in a key stretch to further stretch the lead to 16 points. Edwards’ physicality in the paint became too much for Texas to handle, as she sealed up key possessions for South Carolina and even generated a few fast-break opportunities with her strong rebounding.

Texas Struggles with Pressure

The pressure of the moment seemed to weigh heavily on Texas, as the game progressed. The Longhorns, usually a team that thrives in high-pressure situations, couldn’t match the intensity of the Gamecocks. South Carolina’s stifling defense, which held Texas to just 57 points on 38% shooting, was a clear indication of how well they had prepared for this moment. Texas was forced to take contested shots from the outside, and they couldn’t find any consistent rhythm in the half-court offense.

The game was all but decided midway through the fourth quarter when Paopao hit a dagger three-pointer from deep, giving South Carolina a commanding 18-point lead. From there, the Gamecocks took control of the game, never letting up until the final buzzer.

What This Win Means for South Carolina

For the South Carolina Gamecocks, this win represented more than just a trip to the NCAA championship game. It was a culmination of years of hard work, talent development, and leadership from head coach Dawn Staley. Staley, who has become one of the most successful coaches in women’s college basketball, has built a program that is now the gold standard. Her ability to recruit top-tier talent like Paopao, Hall, and Edwards, combined with her coaching expertise, has created a team that is capable of dominating at the highest level.

This victory was also a statement of the Gamecocks’ versatility and depth. South Carolina didn’t just rely on one player; they showed that they are capable of beating top-tier teams with a well-rounded approach. Paopao, Hall, and Edwards were the standouts in the game, but the team effort on both ends of the floor was crucial to the win. Their unselfish passing, defensive rotations, and disciplined execution of coach Staley’s system left no doubt that South Carolina is one of the most well-prepared teams in the country.

Looking Ahead: The National Championship

With the 74-57 victory over Texas, South Carolina is now set to face off against the winner of the other Final Four matchup in what promises to be an exciting national championship game. While it’s clear that South Carolina is a formidable opponent, the road to the title will not be easy. Their performance against Texas, however, has shown that they are fully capable of winning the national title.

For Texas, this loss marks the end of a valiant run in the tournament. While they fought hard and gave it their all, they could not match South Carolina’s offensive firepower or their suffocating defense. Texas will undoubtedly learn from this experience and look to build upon the foundation they have established under head coach Vic Schaefer. With players like Rori Harmon leading the way, the Longhorns will be a force to reckon with in future seasons.

In the 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four, the South Carolina Gamecocks proved that they are a true powerhouse in women’s college basketball. With a commanding 74-57 win over the Texas Longhorns, South Carolina solidified its place in the championship game. The stellar play of Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Joyce Edwards helped propel the Gamecocks to victory, as their offensive and defensive dominance overwhelmed a resilient but ultimately outmatched Texas team. With the title on the line in the next game, South Carolina is ready to prove that they are the best in the nation.