First Glimpse Texas Women’s Basketball

Fans and media got their first glimpse of the 2023/24 University of Texas women’s basketball team at the annual Orange & White Scrimmage at the Moody Center. 

Forward Aaliyah Moore, still recovering from ACL surgery, served as master of ceremony.  Notable in the player introductions were Khadija Faye, who sporting the flag of the Republic of Senegal, and Mississippian Madison Booker, who looked every bit the Texas, weaning a cowboy. 

The scrimmage tipped-off with women-on-women.  Starters for the Orange squad were 

Rori Harmon, Shaylee Gonzales, Amina Muhammad, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, and Faye.  Starter for the White were Gisella Maul, Shay Holle, Booker, DeYona Gaston, and Taylor Jones. 

As you would expect, play was a little loose on both sides of the ball, with defense edging out offense in the opening frame. Coach Schaefer had previously said that his stomach hurts this time of year and the team make ready. 

Gisella Maul scored the first points, beating Mwenentanda and Harmon to the rim. 

The game took a decided down turn four minutes in when Gaston, guarded by Faye, came down awkwardly on a jump shot and appeared to twist an ankle.  Gaston was in considerable pain as she was helped off the court.  She did not return to the game and was expected to undergo an MRI the next day. 

Orange led White, 17-to-8, at the end of the opening frame. 

The women, wearing orange, took on the men’s basketball team practice squad, starting in the second quarter.  Stepping on to the court for the women were Harmon, Gonzales, Booker, Mwenentanda and Faye.   

The men were surprisingly good, forcing the women to up there game.  The Orange team extended their lead, 39-to-23 at the half, 62-to-38 at the end of three quarters, and ultimately winning. 

The team travels to a neutral site to take on the University of Southern California this weekend.  Play resumes in at home on November 2nd in an exhibition match-up against Midwestern State.  Official play commences November 8th against Southern University at the Moody Center.