Rori Harmon Leads Texas to Victory Over South Carolina | Women’s Basketball

Harmon’s Last-Second Shot Lifts Texas Over South Carolina in championship Thriller

A clutch floater from point guard Rori Harmon with just one second remaining propelled the No. 4 University of Texas Longhorns to a 66-64 victory over the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks in the title game of the Players Era Championship on Thursday. The dramatic finish capped a back-and-forth contest that showcased the rising stars of women’s college basketball.

Did you know? – The Players Era Championship is a newly established early-season tournament designed to showcase top women’s college basketball programs. This inaugural event featured several ranked teams vying for the title.

Longhorns Overcome Second-Half Deficit

Texas, now 7-0 on the season, faced adversity after relinquishing a six-point lead early in the third quarter and falling behind by as many as eight points. However, the Longhorns demonstrated resilience, closing the game on a 24-14 run to secure the championship. The victory marks a significant early-season achievement for a team poised for a deep postseason run.

Harmon Shines, Sets Program Assist Record

Despite being contained for much of the game, Rori Harmon delivered when it mattered most. she finished with nine assists, surpassing Kamie Ethridge’s previous school record of 776 set between 1982 and 1986. Harmon now boasts 777 assists in just 125 games for the Longhorns sence 2021. Her performance earned her the tournament MVP award. “When it came time for the last shot, it’s always going to be her,” said the Texas coach, who previously lauded Harmon as the best point guard in the country following Wednesday’s semifinal win over No. 3 UCLA.

Pro tip: – Late-game situations often come down to composure. Rori Harmon’s ability to remain calm and execute under pressure was a key factor in Texas’s victory.

Balanced Scoring for Texas

Jordan Lee led the Longhorns in scoring with 19 points, while Madison Booker contributed a strong performance with 16 points and nine rebounds. Justice Carlton added 13 points and eight boards, rounding out a balanced offensive attack for Texas.

South Carolina Falls in First Loss As April

The Gamecocks (7-1) suffered their first defeat since falling to Connecticut in the NCAA championship game in April. Ta’Niya Latson and Joyce Edwards each scored 16 points to lead South Carolina, with Tessa Johnson adding 13. Madina Okot recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.

SEC Preview in Las Vegas

The championship matchup between Texas and South carolina provided an exciting preview of the competitive landscape awaiting them in Southeastern Conference play, which begins in January. The teams had previously split their regular-season meetings last season,but South Carolina ultimately prevailed in both the SEC Tournament final and the Final Four. This latest encounter suggests a fierce rivalry will continue to unfold throughout the season.

Reader question: – Do you think this early-season matchup will have a significant impact on the teams’ mindset when they meet again in SEC play? What adjustments might each team make?

Why did it end? The game ended with a last-second floater by Texas point guard Rori harmon, giving the Longhorns a 66-64 victory.
Who won? The No. 4 University of Texas Longhorns defeated the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks.
What happened? texas overcame a second-half deficit to win the Players Era Championship in a back-and-forth contest. Rori Harmon set