There's a reason why South Carolina Gamecocks Women's Basketball is one of the best elite college basketball programs. Dawn Staley knows how to coach her girls to multiple championships, and that's why she's able to recruit some of the best talent from around the United States to play in South Carolina.
It was evident today as Texas Women's Basketball lost to the Gamecocks in the SEC Championship game 64-45. Taylor Jones was the leading scorer for the Longhorns with 14 points.
The Longhorns should be proud of how they represented the university in their first season in the SEC Conference. It's a very tough conference to play in regarding women's basketball. The fact that Texas was co-regular season champions with the Gamecocks is a step in the right direction.
The Longhorns have a bright future in the SEC regarding Women's Basketball. Let's look at the three takeaways from Texas's loss to the Gamecocks in the SEC Championship game.
3. South Carolina's defense
That was a good defensive showing by the Gamecocks this afternoon. Staley and her coaching staff did a good job of preventing the Longhorns from doing any real damage to them.
The fact they held Booker to only ten points this afternoon is a testament to the type of defense South Carolina is known for. It's hard to beat a team that can lock down your best player and remove her from your game plan. The Gamecocks will be hard to compete against in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
2. Second quarter
That 13-0 in the second quarter by the Gamecocks separated South Carolina from the Longhorns. That was the turning point in the Championship game this afternoon. Until then, the Longhorns did well, keeping pace with the Gamecocks.
It looked like it was going to be a competitive afternoon. Staley didn't want to lose the Longhorns twice this season, so she increased the defensive pressure. It paid off, and she walked away with the SEC Championship.
1. Heck of a season
Texas should not be disappointed with how they finished the SEC Tournament. With how good the talent was in the SEC, it would be challenging to make it to the SEC Championship game in their first season. The Longhorns proved they belong amongst the elite teams in the conference by beating LSU twice this season.
This will only help the Longhorns be prepared for the Women's Basketball Tournament. The Longhorns will find out if they will host a region next Sunday (March 16) at 7 p.m. CT.