NCAAW: Texas basks in Final Four-clinching win over TCU

[ad_1] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags The all-Lone Star State Elite Eight showdown ended with No. 1-seed Texas triumphing over No. 2-seed TCU, 58-47, sending the Longhorns to their first Final Four in more than two decades.

The tandem of Madison Booker and Rori Harmon powered Texas to Tampa, with Booker posting 18 points and six rebounds as Harmon contributed 13 points and five assists.

Swish Appeal’s photographer Christina Merrion was at the final game in Birmingham to capture the Longhorns’ long-sought achievement.

Rori Harmon captained an aggressive Texas defense on Monday night, forcing 21 TCU turnovers, including seven by Hailey Van Lith. Christina Merrion.

Despite facing constant pressure from Texas, Van Lith did all she could to keep TCU alive, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds as she played all 40 minutes. Christina Merrion.

Texas’ Madison Booker smiles after converting a tough bucket. The SEC Player of the Year also was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Birmingham 3 Regional. Christina Merrion.

Jordana Codio and Jordan Lee celebrate a score as Texas inched closer to their Final Four-clinching victory. Christina Merrion.

After the game, Booker emphasized the preparation required to play Texas’ brand of lockdown defense, which shut down two high-powered offenses in Tennessee and TCU on the way to the Final Four. She shared, “We’ve been through everything ... tired, on the ground, in the locker room, gassed out. But these are the moments that you work for ... and it’s fun.” Christina Merrion.

Harmon, who returned from an ACL injury she suffered in early 2024 in just 10 months, deservedly basks in Texas’ win. After the game, she shared, “I just was thinking about what I’ve been through as a player... obviously it’s physical and mental. So just to see us get to the Final Four ... [it’s] an amazing thing, and I was just really proud of myself in that moment.” Christina Merrion.

Head coach Vic Schaefer has led Texas to the program’s first Final Four since 2003. It will be Schaefer’s third Final Four as a head coach, with the other two coming during his time at Mississippi State. Christina Merrion.

Booker gave credit to Schaefer after the game, saying, “I think he deserves it. He puts in the work. I watched him at Mississippi State, and I’m happy to be part of it at Texas now.” Christina Merrion.

After the game, Harmon acknowledged the history of the Texas program, shouting out the legendary Jody Conradt, who led Texas to the program’s 1986 national championship and to the Final Four in 1987 and 2003. She also was in attendance on Monday night. Harmon said, “Coach Jody, she is the standard. She has that aura to her. I mean, she laid the foundation for us.” Christina Merrion.