#5 Texas Dodges Upset

The fifth ranked University of Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team (25-3, 12-3) narrowly defeated the Texas Tech Lady Raiders (16-12, 5-10), 77-to-72.  The game was much closer than the final score indicates. 

“They pretty much stuck it to us for 40 minutes,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer.  “We’re real fortunate that we don’t learn a really tough lesson tonight.” 

The Longhorns had more than their fair share of problems defensively, appearing to play without energy.  The play, or lack thereof, created numerous breakdowns, allowing an inordinate number of back-door and straight-line drives.  Tech easily caught Texas’ defensive switches, enabling them to convert on 12 of 25 (48%) three-point attempts. 

“I’m going to put it perspective for you… that team scored 35 points on Sunday, 35.  That’s how hard we didn’t play tonight.  Offense wasn’t our issue.  Defense was our issue and how hard we didn’t play,” said Schaefer. 

Tech came out strong, capitalizing on an eight-point run to lead most of the first period.  The Lady Raider also came out strong to start the second half, besting Texas 19-to-17.  But the visitors didn’t have the depth nor the endurance to outlast the Longhorns. 

Offensively Tech shot 45% from the field, 48% from distance and 55% from the charity stripe.  They were led by Jasmine Shavers with 27 points and Baily Maupin with 22 points.  Jada Wynn went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc with 10 points and six rebound. 

Four Longhorns shot in double digits, led by Taylor Jones with 19 points.  Amina Muhammad put up 16 points and pulled down 15 rebounds, tying a career best for rebounds.  Madison Booker and DeYona Gaston tallied 14 and 12 points respectively. 

Each team committed 15 turnovers. 

Texas’s fans may have made the difference in the game, getting loud at the right time to give some juice to the Longhorns while at the same time intimidating the Lady Raiders. 

“We didn’t honor the game tonight, we didn’t play hard, we were out there playing cool, going half tail.  That’s not us, that’s not my teams, that’s not how we practice or prepare.  It really bothers me.  In my mind we didn’t earn the victory tonight,” said Schaefer.