Part 2/7:

As the game commenced, South Carolina showcased their signature man-to-man defense right from the start, a trend mirrored by Texas. Rory Harmon quickly took charge for Texas, slicing through the lane and finishing with an impressive left-handed layup. Both teams emphasized their prowess on the offensive glass, with Texas leading the nation in offensive rebounding percentage—a crucial element that would play a significant role throughout the game.