South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, ranked No. 2, suffered a tough defeat against No. 4 Texas on Sunday, losing 66-62. This was only their second loss of the 2024-25 NCAA season, snapping their 57-game SEC regular-season win streak that had lasted since December 2021.
With the SEC standings now tied between South Carolina and Texas, the loss brought attention to the intensity of the conference, especially with Texas and Oklahoma joining.
Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Falls to Texas in High-Stakes SEC Showdown
South Carolina entered the game against Texas with an impressive record, but Texas proved to be a tough opponent on its home court. The referees set a tight tone early in the game, calling multiple fouls and disrupting the rhythm and flow of the contest.
Despite strong moments, the Gamecocks couldn’t overcome the applied pressure from Texas. The defeat left South Carolina with a 22-2 record and a 10-1 SEC record. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was candid about the loss.
“This is the first game that we’ve lost in two years, I think,” Staley said. “The law of averages says at some point, somebody’s gonna get you.”
This loss was a wake-up call for a team that had been nearly invincible in regular-season SEC play for the past two years. Staley acknowledged that it was uncharted territory for her team, but she remained optimistic about their future.
The defeat shook up the SEC standings, as both South Carolina and Texas now shared the top spot in the conference, each with a 10-1 SEC record. In their earlier meeting on Jan. 12, South Carolina had emerged victorious with a 67-50 win. However, Staley wasn’t overly concerned about this loss in the grand scheme of the season.
“We still control our own destiny,” Staley said. “We do have to look around a little bit and hope somebody knocks Texas or LSU off so we can control it for the rest of the way. I’m sure they’re going to think the same thing with us as well.”
Staley also discussed the tough nature of the game and the adjustments her team had to make under pressure.
“We fought in this particular game,” Staley said. “There are some things that we definitely can get better at. This type of game, you’re just trying to survive.”
The tight environment and the defensive pressure Texas applied made it difficult for South Carolina to execute their offense, forcing players to improvise. Staley recognized that while they had practiced strategies to relieve pressure, those plans didn’t always translate well in the heated atmosphere of the game.
A Test for the SEC’s Best
Staley took time to discuss the high level of competition in the SEC, which has only been strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma.
“I think them and Oklahoma just make us, not arguably the best conference in the country — we are,” Staley said.
Looking at the matchup between South Carolina and Texas, Staley pointed out that both teams had similar strengths. She mentioned that South Carolina had an edge in post-depth and versatility, but Texas had the upper hand in rebounding.
“They’ve probably got the advantage in the rebounding. So we’ve got to get better in that area,” Staley said.
South Carolina had some success in the third quarter, outscoring Texas 22-13, which was a key moment for the Gamecocks. However, Staley noted that their smaller lineup posed challenges.
“You’re susceptible to rebounding, you’re susceptible to having a smaller guard on a big,” Staley said.
The smaller lineup didn’t work in South Carolina’s favor, and they were caught in tough situations, especially when matched up against Texas’ strong post play. Another strategic shift came late in the game when South Carolina went with a four-guard lineup.
“We need (Bree Hall) on (Madison) Booker, or as much as we could stay matched up on her,” Staley said.
The decision to go small was an attempt to counter Texas’ smaller lineup, but it didn’t lead to the desired results. Staley also discussed Texas’ standout player, Kyla Oldacre, who caused problems for South Carolina’s defense.
“Sania (Feagin) is the only one that can guard (Oldacre) — halfway guard her,” Staley continued.
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The mismatch between Texas’ experienced post players and South Carolina’s younger players was evident, and Oldacre played a pivotal role in Texas’ victory.
In her final comments on the game’s timing, Staley reflected on the significance of the contest being featured before the Super Bowl.
“Quite honestly, we’re it right now — women’s basketball is it right now,” Staley said.
Staley expressed hope that the game’s exposure would help elevate the sport and lead to greater respect and recognition for women’s basketball.
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