#4 Texas Never Looks Back, Defeats #2 South Carolina

The #4 University of Texas Longhorn women’s basketball team never looked back as they defeated the #2 University of South Carolina Gamecocks, 65-58, before a sold-out crowd at the Moody Center.  This was Texas’ fourth win this season against a top ten team. 

The Longhorns played with a toughness and intensity that is becoming associated with the season. 

“There’s not enough words or time for me express how proud I am of these kids,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer, perhaps starting to choke-up.  “Their incredible competitive spirit today, because it took that to beat that team.” 

Texas contained South Carolina’s three-point threat, holding to just 5-for-19 from distance, and only shooting 37% from the field.  This was the 14th time the Longhorns held an opponent under 40 percent shooting and are undefeated when doing so. 

The Longhorns were led by their bigs, senior Taylor Jones and sophomore Kyla Oldacre, who combined for 24 points, 12 rebounds, and only two turnovers.  

“Taylor was really good the first half.  And Kyla was really good the second half.  That’s my two-headed monster,” said Schaefer.  “I just thought both of them were really spectacular.” 

Madison Booker led all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds, the game’s only double-double, and drew eight fouls.  Rori Harmon dished out four assists, but struggled to regain consistency in her shooting, going 1-for-9 from the field. 

“Before we came out, I told them, my devotional today was, ‘Work hard at everything, with all your heart, as if you’re working for the Lord.’  I told them, you’re gonna have to play as if you’re working for the Lord today.  You’re gonna have to play your hearts out.  It’s gonna take all that and then some.  And I just though these kids did it.  They deserved it, they earned it,” said Scheafer.