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Hii This is Aditi. i am the author of this post. i have last 2 years experience as jurnalist

TAMPA, FL – On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, became the epicenter of women’s college basketball as the highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns and the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks unfolded in the NCAA Women’s Final Four. This clash of titans, a pivotal moment in the women’s NCAA basketball season, showcased two powerhouse programs vying for a coveted spot in the national championship game. With a final score of 74-57, South Carolina emerged victorious, advancing to face the winner of the UConn vs. UCLA semifinal. This game was more than just a contest; it was a testament to the growth and competitiveness of women’s basketball, drawing fans, analysts, and newcomers alike into the orbit of March Madness women’s schedule.

As the reigning national champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, led by the legendary Dawn Staley, entered the game with a 2-1 record against Texas this season. Meanwhile, the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball squad, under the guidance of Vic Schaefer, aimed to upset the defending champs and secure their first national title game appearance since 1986. Consequently, this Texas vs. South Carolina showdown delivered high stakes, electrifying performances, and a narrative rich with talent, strategy, and resilience.

In this detailed news story, we’ll break down the game, explore the key players, analyze the coaching brilliance, and look ahead to what this victory means for South Carolina in the Final Four women landscape. Additionally, we’ll contextualize this matchup within the broader scope of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, including references to UConn vs. South Carolina history and the women’s Final Four 2025 storyline.

The Road to the Final Four: Texas and South Carolina’s Journey

The path to the NCAA Women’s Final Four was no easy feat for either team. Both the Texas Longhorns and the South Carolina Gamecocks showcased dominance throughout the season and the NCAA tournament women. For Texas, their journey included a gritty 58-47 Elite Eight win over TCU, a testament to their defensive prowess and composure under pressure. Led by sophomore sensation Madison Booker, the Longhorns boasted one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing just 55.9 points per game in SEC play, as noted by ESPN.

South Carolina, on the other hand, arrived in Tampa on a mission to defend their title from the previous year’s perfect 38-0 season. The Gamecocks faced a tough Elite Eight test against Duke, rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to win 54-50. This resilience, paired with their depth—highlighted by players like Joyce Edwards and Te-Hina Paopao—solidified their status as favorites in the women’s NCAA basketball bracket.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time these two teams met in 2025. As SEC rivals, Texas and South Carolina clashed three times prior to the Final Four games. South Carolina won the first encounter 67-50 on January 12 in Columbia, while Texas responded with a 66-62 victory on February 9 in Austin. The Gamecocks then dominated the SEC Tournament championship on March 9, defeating Texas 64-45. Thus, the Texas vs. South Carolina Final Four matchup marked their fourth meeting, adding layers of familiarity and intensity to an already charged atmosphere.

Game Recap: South Carolina Pulls Away in Dominant Fashion

The Texas vs. South Carolina women’s basketball game tipped off at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast live on ESPN, and it didn’t disappoint. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. At halftime, South Carolina held a slim 38-35 lead, fueled by a 9-3 run to close the half, as reported by NCAA.com. Texas’ Madison Booker, despite early foul trouble, contributed six points, while South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall sparked their squad’s momentum.

However, the second half told a different story. South Carolina erupted out of the locker room, outscoring Texas 36-22 over the final 20 minutes. Te-Hina Paopao, a senior guard and one of four returning starters from last year’s championship team, led the charge with 14 points, including three crucial three-pointers. Her efficiency—5-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc—earned her praise as the game’s standout performer. Meanwhile, freshman phenom Joyce Edwards delivered a double-double by the end of the third quarter, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, showcasing her versatility and poise on the Final Four women’s basketball stage.

Texas struggled to keep pace as South Carolina’s defense tightened. The Longhorns shot just 38.5% from the field in the second half, and their transition game faltered, managing only three fast-break points compared to South Carolina’s 15. Freshman Jordan Lee provided a bright spot off the bench, scoring 16 points and hitting three of Texas’ four three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Gamecocks’ relentless attack. Madison Booker, hampered by foul trouble throughout, finished with 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting, a far cry from the 20-point performance that led Texas to their lone win over South Carolina earlier in the season.

By the final buzzer, South Carolina’s 74-57 victory underscored their championship pedigree. The Gamecocks’ dominance in the paint (40 points to Texas’ 22) and their 17 assists highlighted their cohesive, team-oriented play—a hallmark of Dawn Staley’s coaching philosophy.

Key Players Who Shaped the Outcome

South Carolina Gamecocks

• Te-Hina Paopao: The senior guard’s sharpshooting and defensive tenacity were pivotal. Her three three-pointers in the second half broke Texas’ spirit, cementing her as a clutch performer in NCAAW basketball. Paopao’s experience from last year’s title run shone through, as noted by The Athletic.
• Joyce Edwards: The freshman sensation lived up to her billing as a first-team All-SEC pick. Edwards’ stat line—13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists—reflected her all-around impact. Her ability to step up in high-pressure moments signals a bright future for South Carolina women’s basketball.
• Raven Johnson: The junior guard’s defensive prowess, including a key block in the first quarter, disrupted Texas’ rhythm. Johnson’s energy and playmaking complemented the Gamecocks’ balanced attack.
• Tessa Johnson: Coming off the bench, Tessa added scoring depth with her timely buckets, a trait that has made South Carolina’s bench one of the deepest in women’s college basketball.

Texas Longhorns

• Madison Booker: Despite a quiet night by her standards, Booker’s early scoring kept Texas in contention. Her midrange game, praised by South Carolina’s Bree Hall as “hard to stop,” per ESPN, remains a weapon, though foul trouble limited her impact.
• Jordan Lee: The freshman guard’s 16 points off the bench provided a spark, showcasing the potential within the Texas women’s basketball roster. Her three-point shooting offered hope for the Longhorns’ future.
• Kyla Oldacre: The post player contributed inside, but South Carolina’s interior defense neutralized her effectiveness. Oldacre and teammate Taylor Jones combined for modest production, unable to match the Gamecocks’ paint presence.

Coaching Brilliance: Dawn Staley vs. Vic Schaefer

The Texas vs. South Carolina matchup wasn’t just a battle of players—it was a chess match between two of the game’s brightest minds: Dawn Staley and Vic Schaefer. Staley, now in her 17th season with South Carolina, has transformed the USC Gamecocks women’s basketball program into a dynasty. With two national titles (2017 and 2024) and five consecutive Final Four appearances, her legacy is undeniable. Against Texas, Staley’s game plan emphasized defensive pressure and paint dominance, exploiting the Longhorns’ lack of three-point shooting (Texas went 4-for-14 from deep).

Postgame, Staley highlighted freshman Joyce Edwards in an ESPN interview, saying, “Hello, Miss Joyce Edwards,” a nod to her breakout performance. Staley’s ability to integrate young talent with seasoned veterans like Te-Hina Paopao has kept the Lady Gamecocks basketball team at the forefront of NCAA women’s basketball.

Conversely, Vic Schaefer, in his fifth year with Texas, has revitalized the UT women’s basketball program. Known for his defensive expertise—honed during Mississippi State’s back-to-back title game runs in 2017 and 2018—Schaefer’s Longhorns entered the game with the SEC’s best defense. However, their offense struggled to find rhythm, averaging just 63.3 points over their last three games, per ESPN. Schaefer acknowledged the challenge postgame, stating, “South Carolina’s toughness and grit were the difference tonight,” echoing Texas forward Taylor Jones’ earlier sentiment that this matchup would hinge on physicality.

While Schaefer’s squad fell short, their first Final Four 2025 women appearance since 2003 signals a program on the rise, setting the stage for future battles with South Carolina.

The Bigger Picture: Women’s Final Four 2025 Context

The women’s Final Four 2025 features a loaded field, with South Carolina now awaiting the winner of the UConn vs. UCLA semifinal, scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on April 4. Historically, UConn vs. South Carolina matchups have been marquee events in women’s NCAA basketball. Last season, South Carolina defeated UConn 83-65 in the regular season, but the Huskies handed the Gamecocks a 29-point loss in February 2025, per ESPN. Should UConn advance, led by Paige Bueckers, a UConn women’s basketball schedule rematch could determine who won March Madness 2025.

UCLA, meanwhile, brings its own storyline as a No. 1 seed in its first Final Four, challenging UConn’s storied program under coach Geno Auriemma, the UConn women’s basketball coach with 11 national titles. This contrast—South Carolina’s depth, UConn’s star power, and UCLA’s emergence—underscores the parity and excitement in women’s March Madness.

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Notably, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball vs. UCLA Bruins men’s basketball rivalry adds intrigue to the women’s narrative, though the focus here remains on the NCAAW stage. South Carolina’s win over Texas positions them as favorites, but the unpredictability of the Final Four women ensures Sunday’s championship will be a must-watch event.

What’s Next for South Carolina and Texas?

For the South Carolina Gamecocks, this victory brings them one step closer to a second straight title and a third in four years. Their balanced attack—five different leading scorers across five tournament wins, per The Athletic—makes them a nightmare to game plan against. Whether facing UConn or UCLA, Staley’s squad will rely on its depth, defense, and emerging stars like Joyce Edwards South Carolina to finish the job.

Texas, though eliminated, leaves Tampa with pride. The Longhorns’ defensive identity and young talent, including Jordan Lee and Kyla Oldacre, suggest they’ll remain contenders in Texas South Carolina rivalries and beyond. Schaefer’s postgame reflection—“We weren’t the toughest team tonight, but we’ll be back”—hints at a program poised for future success in women’s college basketball.

Why This Game Matters for Women’s Basketball

The Texas vs. South Carolina prediction debates leading up to the game—many favoring South Carolina’s experience, per USA TODAY—underscored the stakes. Beyond the scoreboard, this matchup highlighted the evolution of women’s basketball. With record viewership for women’s NCAA basketball today and growing interest in players like Paopao, Edwards, and Booker, the sport continues to captivate audiences.

Moreover, the South Carolina vs. Texas rivalry, now 5-3 in South Carolina’s favor all-time, exemplifies the SEC’s dominance in NCAA women’s basketball schedule. As women’s Final Four 2025 unfolds, the narrative of resilience, talent, and coaching brilliance will resonate far beyond April 6’s championship game.

ESPN: Women’s Final Four Predictions – Expert analysis on the 2025 Final Four.

NCAA.com: South Carolina Cruises Past Texas – Official game highlights and updates.

The Athletic: South Carolina Beats Texas – In-depth coverage of the Final Four clash.

Greenville News: South Carolina vs. Texas Prediction – Local insights on the matchup.

FAQs

1. Who won the Texas vs. South Carolina game in the Women’s Final Four 2025?

South Carolina defeated Texas 74-57 on April 4, 2025, advancing to the national championship game in the NCAA women’s Final Four.

2. Who were the standout players in the Texas vs. South Carolina matchup?

Te-Hina Paopao led South Carolina with 14 points, while Joyce Edwards added 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. For Texas, Jordan Lee scored 16 points off the bench.

3. What is Dawn Staley’s record in the Final Four?

Dawn Staley has now led South Carolina to five straight Final Four appearances, winning titles in 2017 and 2024. She’s one win away from her fourth championship.

4. How many times have Texas and South Carolina played in 2025?

The Final Four game was their fourth meeting in 2025. South Carolina won three of those contests, including the SEC Tournament final.

5. What’s next for the winner of the Women’s Final Four 2025?

South Carolina will face the winner of the UConn vs. UCLA semifinal in the national championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2025.