Texas Tops South Carolina with Harmon’s Last-Second Shot

The No. 4 Texas Longhorns clinched a thrilling victory over No. 2 South Carolina, winning 66-64 in the women’s title game of the Players Era Championship held in Las Vegas on December 7, 2023. Rori Harmon delivered a decisive 10-foot floater with just one second remaining, securing the victory for her team.

Harmon, who had struggled throughout the game, finishing with only four points until the final moments, showcased her resilience. She not only made the game-winning shot but also contributed significantly with nine assists, making her the program’s all-time leader in assists with a total of 777 over 125 games since her debut in 2021. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 776 assists set by Kami Ethridge from 1982 to 1986. Following the game, Harmon was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Texas coach Vic Schaefer praised his star player, stating, “When it came time for the last shot, it’s always gonna be her.” Schaefer had previously called Harmon the best point guard in the country after their semifinal win against No. 3 UCLA.

The Longhorns initially faced challenges, losing a six-point lead early in the third quarter and falling behind by eight points. However, they fought back, outscoring the Gamecocks 24-14 in the final stretch of the game. Jordan Lee led Texas in scoring with 19 points, while Madison Booker added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Justice Carlton contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.

South Carolina, now at a record of 7-1, had four players scoring in double figures. Ta’Niya Latson and Joyce Edwards each scored 16 points, while Tessa Johnson added 13 points. Madina Okot recorded her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out. This loss marked South Carolina’s first defeat since their loss to Connecticut in the NCAA championship game in April 2023.

Both teams had impressive semifinal victories, with Texas defeating UCLA and South Carolina overcoming Duke. Their competitive matchup in Las Vegas provided fans with an exciting preview of the upcoming Southeastern Conference play, set to begin in January. Last season, the Longhorns and Gamecocks split their regular-season meetings, but South Carolina dominated Texas in both the SEC Tournament final and the Final Four.

As both teams prepare for the challenges ahead, this game highlighted the skill and determination present in women’s college basketball. The intensity and talent displayed by Texas and South Carolina set the stage for an exhilarating season.