Texas Stuns UCLA in Thrilling Finish! Championship Bound!

AUSTIN, TX – The No. 4 Texas Longhorns are headed to the Players Era Championship game after a hard-fought 76-65 victory over No. 3 UCLA Bruins on Wednesday. Rori Harmon was the star of the show, dropping a phenomenal 26 points to lead Texas past a late-surging UCLA squad.

Texas Stuns UCLA in Thrilling Finish! Championship...

Texas looked to be in complete control for much of the game, building a massive 23-point lead late in the third quarter. But don't count the Bruins out just yet! UCLA mounted a furious comeback, threatening to steal the game right out from under the Longhorns. In the end, Texas managed to weather the storm and secure their spot in the championship.

The Longhorns, now boasting a 6-0 record, will face the winner of the South Carolina-Duke matchup for the Players Era Championship title on Thursday. Meanwhile, UCLA (6-1) will have to settle for a consolation game against the loser of that same matchup.

It wasn't just Harmon carrying the load for Texas. Madison Booker had a solid all-around performance with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Jordan Lee contributed 13 points, and Justice Carlton chipped in with 10, showcasing the depth of this Longhorns team.

UCLA’s comeback was primarily fueled by Kiki Rice, who scored 12 points during a 24-7 run that brought the Bruins within striking distance – just four points behind Texas. But alas, it wasn't enough. Three consecutive failed possessions, including a missed three-pointer and two costly turnovers, ultimately allowed Texas to regain their composure and pull away.

Gianna Kneepkens and Rice both finished with 17 points for the Bruins, while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 13 on efficient 50% shooting. However, the team struggled to contain the Longhorns’ offense for most of the game.

Texas's defense really set the tone early, forcing seven UCLA turnovers in the first quarter alone and converting them into six points. Despite a cold start from beyond the arc, the Longhorns dominated inside, shooting a very respectable 47.4% from two-point range and establishing a 10-point lead after the first 10 minutes.

The Longhorns continued to pour it on in the second quarter, outscoring UCLA by another 10 points to take a commanding 45-25 lead into halftime. Their shooting percentage in the first half was a blistering 51.4%, while UCLA struggled to just 44.4% - a testament to Texas's defensive pressure.

Adding to UCLA's woes, AP preseason All-American selection Lauren Betts suffered an apparent upper-body injury early in the third quarter. I actually cringed watching the replay – it looked painful. Betts collided with Booker and was seen writhing in pain, clutching her arm. Thankfully, she was able to return to the game after spending some time in the locker room, but the incident definitely disrupted the Bruins' flow.

The Players Era Championship is generating quite a buzz this year, especially with the reports that each team is receiving significant NIL compensation. I read a report from Sportico earlier today that clarified while not every school gets the full $1 million, on average, each team is getting over that amount in guaranteed NIL compensation, according to tournament organizer Nancy Berger. This is the second year of the tournament, and it’s certainly making waves in the world of women's college basketball.