GREENVILLE, S.C. — Madison Booker scored a career-best 31 points to power No. 3 Texas to the SEC Tournament title game for the second straight year after the Longhorns defeated Ole Miss 85-68 on Saturday in the semifinals.
Booker also had 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in a do-it-all performance for the Longhorns (30-3). Texas also got 19 points and eight rebounds from Kyla Oldacre in an off-the-bench effort, and 14 points from Jordan Lee.
“Minus the turnovers, she was spectacular,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “She was really special today. I know she’s made some big shots for us, but she really took over the game today.”
Ole Miss (23-11) was led by Cotie McMahon and Denim DeShields, who each had 20 points apiece. Christeen Iwuala chipped in 12 points.
The Rebels trailed by as much as 17 points after a sluggish start and were down by 10 at halftime. But in the third quarter, Latasha Lattimore and DeShields combined for 17 points to power an Ole Miss scoring surge as they outscored the Longhorns 23-15 in that frame. DeShields swished a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter to cut Texas’ lead down to just two points.
But Ole Miss never got any closer. Texas used a 10-2 run in the early stages of the fourth quarter to put some cushion between itself and the Rebels. Booker — a native of Ridgeland, Mississippi — scored 13 points in the fourth quarter on 5-of-6 shooting to close the door on Ole Miss.
‘I feel like every time Book plays us, it’s personal, because she’s from the state. Sometimes I don’t want to even shake her hand because I’m like, ‘Why you went there? You could have did this with us,” Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said with a laugh. ‘She’s just a special talent. … I thought she did a good job just getting comfortable. They do a good job of finding those spots for her, a short corner. Then once she sees it goes in, then she’ll occasionally shoot a three. I think it makes her very difficult to guard.’
Texas outscored Ole Miss 44-33 in the paint and also knocked down 19-of-22 free throws. Oldacre made an impressive 11-of-13 from the foul line, a career-high for her in made free throws in a game.
South Carolina awaits Texas in the SEC Championship, which tips off at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN on Sunday.
Third Quarter: Texas 57, Ole Miss 55
The Rebels have narrowed the gap with the Longhorns heading into the fourth quarter after outscoring them 23-15 in the third.
Latasha Lattimore scored eight points and Denim DeShields had nine points in the third frame to power Ole Miss. Cotie McMahon has 18 points so far to lead the Rebels, while Madison Booker has 18 for Texas.
Halftime: Texas 42, Ole Miss 32
Madison Booker has 12 points and Jordan Lee has seven as the Longhorns lead the Rebels by double figures at halftime.
Cotie McMahon has 16 points for Ole Miss, but the Rebels have been hampered by 11 turnovers and an inability to defend Texas inside. The Longhorns are outscoring the Rebels 30-14 in the paint.
First Quarter: Texas 22, Ole Miss 16
Despite 10 points from Cotie McMahon, the Rebels trailed the Longhorns at the end of the opening period of the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina.
Madison Booker is powering Texas with eight points. The Longhorns have scored all of their points in the paint. Texas also has four steals and three blocks so far.
What time is Texas vs. Ole Miss?
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, South Carolina)
Coach Yo’s Ole Miss Rebels face Vic Schaefer’s Texas Longhorns in the semifinals of the SEC Women’s Tournament at 7 p.m. ET Saturday, March 7 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Texas vs. Ole Miss: TV, streaming
TV: ESPN2
Stream: ESPN+, SlingTV
Ole Miss and Texas’ game will air live on ESPN2. Streaming options for the game include Sling TV.