The South Carolina Gamecocks entered the 2026 SEC finals as favorites for the fourth consecutive conference championship, but the Texas team outperformed them on the night, clinching the championship. Senior guard Raven Johnson had an off night, finishing with nine points, while Madison Booker led the Longhorns to the championship.
Despite the loss, coach Dawn Staley sees a silver lining as she told the South Carolina Team their loss to Texas could spark another national championship run. Raven Johnson also kept her composure during the interview, and fans showered her with love for her maturity.
Fans React To Raven Johnson’s Spirit
One of the top contenders for the NCAA Championship is expected to win its conference with ease. Despite the controlled performances throughout the season and dominance over the conference rivals, the Gamecocks lost the championship game to the third-seeded Texas Longhorns.
On the loss, Johnson said, “You’re going to lose some. You’re not going to win everything. I mean it’s part of life. It’s called adversity…and when you lose, you gotta bounce back”
Raven Johnson after South Carolina's 17-point loss to Texas
— Claire Foley (@clairefoleytv) March 8, 2026
"You're going to lose some. You're not going to win everything. I mean it's part of life. It's called adversity…and when you lose, you gotta bounce back"@GamecockWBB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/C6792MIzCX
Fans were happy with her mature answer and showed support for the star in the comments.
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A fan said, “This young lady here is EXACTLY WHO SHE THINKS SHE IS!”
This young lady here is EXACTLY WHO SHE THINKS SHE IS!
— Alpha Beta (@AlphaBeta33333) March 9, 2026
One fan wrote, “Lots of life lessons come from playing sports. Smart, young woman.”
This young lady here is EXACTLY WHO SHE THINKS SHE IS!
— Alpha Beta (@AlphaBeta33333) March 9, 2026
Another fan mentioned, “They’ll bounce back. They just need a mental recharge.”
They'll bounce back. They just need a mental recharge.
— Neake22 (@Neake22_) March 9, 2026
One fan added, “Love you Ray-of-sunshine Johnson. We got you!!!!!!”
Love you Ray-of-sunshine Johnson❣️
— Cynthia Pryor (@ThiaPryor11) March 9, 2026
We got you!!!!!!
♥️⛹🏽♀️🖤🐔♥️💪🏽🖤🏀♥️😤🖤
Another fan commented, “She’s right. They need to work on weak areas right now. Still backing SC.”
She's right. They need to work on weak areas right now. Still backing SC
— Elizabeth Broussard (@broussard52) March 9, 2026
The player was a star performer a night ago as the Gamecocks recorded their 19th straight win over the LSU Tigers. For the Tigers’ coach, the forward was a difference maker and the reason for the defeat.
Kim Mulkey With High Praise For Raven Johnson
With a close game at the half, any team with an early stride in the third quarter had a chance to clinch the victory. The senior forward understood the task and took over the offensive load, netting a career-high 22 points. But this was not the first time the 22-year-old came to the rescue as her 2026 scoring surge silences doubt around WNBA leap.
After the loss, Kim Mulkey also sided with the player’s impact as she said, “She’s their leader. That’s what you want. You want leaders like that, and she makes everybody else better … That’s what she did today. Nothing that surprises me. I think each year she’s been at South Carolina, her role has stayed the same.”
Mulkey on Raven Johnson 🎯 pic.twitter.com/hHF2wPeRWo
— DW 👸🏾 (@whereisdw) March 8, 2026
South Carolina displayed its mettle by holding on to beat sixth-ranked LSU 83-77, and now aims for similar performances in the NCAAW competition to clinch the title.