ESTERO, Fla. — Madison Booker knocked down a jumper with 18 seconds to go in the fourth quarter and Justice Carlton stole the ball with four second remaining to lift Texas to a 78-73 victory over No. 12/10 West Virginia in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Showcase on Sunday at Hertz Arena.
Rori Harmon was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Madison Booker was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Four Texas players scored in double figures led by Aaliyah Moore with 20 points and Booker with 19. Kyla Oldacre recorded 13 points and Justice Carlton added 10.
The Longhorns (7-0) forced West Virginia (8-1) into eight first quarter turnovers and jumped out to a 17-12 lead at the end of the first period.
The Longhorns created come separation in the second quarter with a Madison Booker 3-pointer and a Justice Carlton fastbreak layup. The Longhorns used an 11-0 run to go up 30-16.
Aaliyah Moore scored 11 first half points for Texas and the Longhorns took a 36-29 lead into the halftime break.
Moore provided the Longhorns momentum to open the second half as she scored a basket and was fouled. She completed the three-point play to put Texas up 46-36. West Virginia kept it close with a 6-0 run and get within four at 52-48 at the end of the third quarter.
Justice Carlton got a key offensive rebound and putback and Madison Booker knocked down a 3-pointer to put Texas up 63-55 with 4:48 to play.
After a West Virginia 3-pointer Texas led by one at 74-73 with 43 seconds to play before Booker sank a jumper to put Texas up 76-73. Justice Carlton stole the ball from West Virginia and was fouled to secure the win for the Longhorns.
Up next the Longhorns travel to South Bend, Ind., to take on Notre Dame in the SEC-ACC Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Postgame Notes:
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