Texas Takes Southern in Season Opener

The No. 13/14 University of Texas Longhorns (1-0) handily defeated the Southern University Jaguars, (0-2), 80-35, in their season opener at Moody Center.  The Longhorns never trailed during the game and held the Jaguars to single-digit points in the first three quarters. 

Taylor Jones led Texas with 19 points and 12 rebounds, claiming her fourth double-double as a Longhorn.   Amina Muhammed her first career double-double just 5:16 mark into second quarter with 14 points and 14 rebounds. 

Texas towered over Southern in every aspect of the game, leading 30-to-3 in points off turnovers, 24-to-0 in second chance points, 40-to-14 in points from the bench, 38-to-14 in points in the paint, and 18-to-6 in fast break points. 

Texas head coach Vic Schaefer was proud of his team’s effort, saying, “if we can’t do it, it ain’t because we’re not trying.” 

Schaefer should have been particularly pleased with two of his key metrics, turn-overs, and steals.  Texas committed only 11 turn-overs, while forcing Southern into 22.  The Longhorns capitalized on 12 steals, while allowing the Jaguars only 6. 

Defensively, Texas held Southern to  29.2% from the floor and 16.7% from distance.  Offensively, the Longhorns converted 44% of attempts from the floor and 27% from beyond the arc.  The only blemish on Texas’s performance was at the charity strip, going 10-for23 (43.5%)

The game brought two freshmen to the floor for their Texas debut.    

Madison Booker started and contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in 26 minutes of work. Gisella Maul came off the bench for 12 minutes, adding nine points and two assists.