Texas stuns the field as Harmon hits game-winning shot in Players Era Championship

Texas women's basketball beat the UCLA Bruins on Wednesday and earned their spot in the Players Era Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks. This is the first time the Longhorns played the Gamecocks since the Final Four last season. Tonight felt like a good night for revenge and to send a message to the SEC that Texas women's basketball is here to compete this season. Rori Harmon sent a message with her last-second jumper to give the Longhorns a 66-64 victory over South Carolina.

Gamecocks Head Coach Dawn Staley had her ladies ready to take on Texas this evening as she's one of the best coaches in the game right now. I know fans are tired of hearing about her team in the news and how they're so "experienced and elite". However, there's nothing she could have done to prepare for Rori Harmon that showed up this week.

Here are four takeaways from Thanksgiving's last-second win against the Gamecocks.

1. Thanksgiving jump scare

We were a little surprised by how the Longhorns began the game tonight. Letting South Carolina get out to a 5-0 lead is not how you're going to beat them when it really matters. However, the Longhorns got right back in it and reclaimed the lead in the first quarter shortly after.

I ask that they not allow South Carolina to do that again because Staley has an experienced team. Sometimes, when you allow your opponent to go on an early run like that, it's not easy getting back into the game. Texas was lucky to score on some of the Gamecocks' turnovers in the first quarter.

2. Defense needs to tighten up some

Maybe it's exhaustion from last night or the coaches' strategy, but the Longhorns need to tighten up their defense a bit. South Carolina is not the team you can allow backdoor layups to. Texas didn't do a good enough job on that side of the ball tonight as SC Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards was getting to the basket with ease. If the Gamecocks were making baskets with a hand in their face, so be it. However, allowing them to walk the red carpet to the hoop should drive Schaefer insane.

3. Longhorns played well despite injuries

One thing the Longhorns had going against them was the number of reserves. The fact that the Longhorns only had seven players enter the game and remained out of foul trouble is pretty impressive. You don't see many basketball teams have a lead against South Carolina with a short bench like that. Texas persevered and somehow got the ball to Harmon on the last possession of the game.

If the Longhorns don't win the National Championship this season, tonight's game felt like a championship victory.

4. Harmon carried the team on her back

Harmon deserves everything in the world based on how she played the last two days during the tournament. Tonight, Harmon set the all-time Longhorns assist record by recording her 777th assist. She also came away with the MVP award.

You could tell Schaefer was emotional based on how she played yesterday against the Bruins. Harmon might be one of the toughest goodbyes for him since she's out of eligibility after the season. The Longhorns will be back at the Moody Center as they host Penn on Sunday afternoon.