Longhorns Dominate Gators, Clinch Share of SEC Title in Emotional Senior Day Victory

The Moody Center was electric Sunday afternoon as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns delivered a decisive 72-46 victory over the Florida Gators, a win made all the more significant as the team celebrated its four graduating seniors and secured a share of the SEC regular season championship.

Head coach Vic Schaefer lauded the contributions of seniors Shay Holle, Rori Harmon, Aaliyah Moore, and Taylor Jones, emphasizing their impact on the program. “It’s been a special time in my life,” Schaefer said, his voice filled with emotion. “They’re the ultimate warriors. So competitive. They’re champions.”

Despite a sluggish offensive start that saw Florida jump to an early 8-3 lead, the Longhorns quickly found their footing. A commanding 15-0 run in the first quarter shifted the momentum, granting Texas a lead they would maintain throughout the contest. The Longhorns held a 16-10 advantage at the end of the first period and extended it to 29-18 by halftime.

The second half saw Texas further assert their dominance, leading by as many as 29 points. Center Kyla Oldacre spearheaded the offensive charge with an impressive 18 points and six rebounds. Madison Booker contributed 14 points, while Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda added 11. The Longhorn defense proved stifling, forcing 23 turnovers and holding the Gators to a dismal 1-for-18 from beyond the arc.

Looking ahead, Schaefer acknowledged the challenges of the upcoming SEC and NCAA tournaments, expressing confidence in his team’s resilience. “There’s not going to be anything that they haven’t seen,” he stated. Senior Taylor Jones echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “the job’s not done, yet,” as the Longhorns set their sights on postseason success.