Texas Advances to Sweet 16 Downing Alabama

The University of Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team advance to their 18th Sweet 16 appearance in program history by defeating the University of Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 65-54.  The win was Texas 32nd of the year, their most in 35 years. 

The Longhorns played well on both sides of the ball, outscoring Alabama 34-to-22 in the paint and blocked a season-high 11 shots.  Texas forced nine steals and 15 turnovers to hold the Tide to 20 points below their average.  

“You know, you don’t do that without playing your heart out.  I just though our kids, from the jump, played their heart out.  I though we opened the game right.  I though we opened the second half right.  We missed a ton of layups and bunnies throughout the course of the game, but I though defensively we were really locked in,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. 

The Longhorns never trailed in the game. Texas ended the first half hot, denying eight of their last nine field goal attempts.  The Longhorns started the second half on fire, forcing Alabama to take a timeout after a 10-to-3 run.  Texas brought out the same energy in the final frame, holding Alabama scoreless for over three minutes.

Aaliyah Moore led the Longhorns with her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one charge drawn. Madison also finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals. This was 14th game this season that Booker scored 20 points or more.

Reflecting on the game Moore said, “we’re jelling at the right time.  There’s still so much that we have to work on, but I know with this group we’re going to put our head down and do it.” 

Alabama was led by senior Sarah Ashlee Barker who put up 17 points and pulled down six rebounds.  Senior Aaliyah Nye added 14 points and four rebounds.