Rori Harmon's Buzzer-Beater Lifts Texas to Players Era Championship Title in Vegas Showdown
No. 4 Texas 66, No. 2 South Carolina 64
The championship matchup between Texas and South Carolina lived up to every bit of the hype physical, intense, and decided on the final shot of the night.
Texas guard Rori Harmon, who had been quiet most of the game, reminded everybody exactly who she is. With the score tied 64–64 and one second left, she drove left, pulled up from about 10 feet, and hit the game-winner pure ice. That bucket not only sealed the championship, it capped off a night where she'd already made history.
Earlier in the fourth, Harmon’s ninth assist gave her 777 career assists, breaking a 40 year Texas record held by Kamie Ethridge. No surprise she walked away as the tournament MVP.
Texas showed a ton of resilience after falling behind by eight in the second half. The Longhorns locked in defensively and responded with an 8–0 run to get right back into it.
Jordan Lee led the way with 19 points.
Madison Booker added 16 points, nine rebounds, and five steals.
Justice Carlton came off the bench huge with 13 points and eight boards and Texas bench outscored South Carolina 17–2.
South Carolina wasn’t far behind, though.
Ta’Niya Latson and Joyce Edwards each finished with 16.
Tessa Johnson added 13.
Madina Okot posted another double-double with 12 and 11.
It was a heavyweight matchup from start to finish and a preview of the type of battles we’re going to see once SEC play ramps up.
Third Place Game: UCLA Comes Out Firing and Never Looks Back
No. 3 UCLA 89, Duke 59
UCLA wasted zero time bouncing back after their loss on Day 1. Even without their star center Lauren Betts, the Bruins came out on fire literally.
They opened the game on a 30–7 first quarter and didn’t look back, hitting a season high 13 threes on nearly 60% shooting from deep. Their guard play controlled everything, and all five starters finished in double figures.
Gabriela Jaquez led the floor with 23 points.
Charlisse Leger-Walker knocked down five threes and scored 20.
Kiki Rice had 17 points and six boards.
Gianna Kneepkens added 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Angela Dugalić finished with 12 and eight.
Duke got solid performances from Ashlon Jackson (18 points, 4 threes) and Toby Fournier (17 points, 10 boards), but the Bruins’ offense was simply too much to match.
Final Standings : Players Era Championship
1st — No. 4 Texas (2-0)
Championship secured behind Harmon’s clutch heroics and huge depth pieces.
2nd — No. 2 South Carolina (1-1)
Battled tough all tournament interior presence and rebounding kept them in every game.
3rd — No. 3 UCLA (1-1)
Bounced back in a big way and proved how dangerous they are when the shooters are rolling.
4th — Duke (0-2)
Flashes from Fournier and Jackson, but consistency was an issue against elite competition.