Texas Takes-down TCU in Close Battle

The University of Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team defeated the Texas Christian University Horned Toads by a final score of 72-to-60.  While technically a win for Texas, it was not the prettiest of wins. 

“As I told the kids, you win ugly it doesn’t go on the card as an ugly win, it just goes down as a win,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer.    The good thing is we answered tonight.  When they cut it to one (point) in the fourth quarter, we answered.  That’s always a positive when your kids can go out there and answer when it gets down, get tight, and we answered on bothmends. 

The game saw the return of Texas’ post play, Taylor Jones.  Jones had been absent the last four games because of a hip injury.  Jones looked rusty, playing 21 minutes, and shooting only 3-for-8 from the field, but her free throws came at clutch moments, going 7-for-9.  She also pulled down five rebounds and blocked three shots. 

Overall, Texas shot 75% from the charity strip, which was significant given the 32 chances they were given.  Texas gave TCU only eight chances at the line. 

Schaefer characterized the game as a “growing experience,” given his team committed 16 turnovers, eight coming from Shaylee Gonzales. 

Texas effectively contained TCU’s point guard, Jaden Owens, and leading scorer, Madison Connor.  Owens was held only four points and five assists, while Connor was only 5-for-19 (26%) from the field for a total of 14 points, 7.5 points below her average. 

“It doesn’t show up in the stats sheet, but Shay (Holle) did a tremendous job on her (Jaden Owens).  Shaylee (Gonzales) had Connor and Shay had her and I though both did an admirable job,” said Schaefer.  “I tell you, I’m really proud of those two.  You talk about answering the bell… Those two have absolutely answered the bell defensively.  Those two kids are playing their hearts out.”   

The Longhorns shot 41.5% (22-for-53) from the field, 50% (4-8) from beyond the arc, and 75% from the free-throw line. 

Holle and Gonzales nailed back-to-back three-pointer to give Texas an eight-point lead at the end of the first half, giving the Longhorns momentum to start the second half. 

Texas’ Madison Booker led all players with 21 points, including seven rebounds and six assists. 

Aaliyah Roberson led TCU with 15 points and six rebounds. 

“I want to make sure you know TCU, I thought, was really special tonight,” said Schaefer.   “You got to give them credit because I though they kind of took the fight to us down
there (at the low post).  And that was an area that we really wanted to try to win, and we didn’t win.”