In a fierce, physical top-25 showdown, the No. 4 Texas Longhorns took control and delivered an impressive 87-66 victory over the No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores. Senior guard Shay Holle was absolutely on fire, draining 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and finishing with 16 points to spark her team’s dominant performance.
Texas, known for their defensive prowess, found an unexpected rhythm from three-point range, hitting 9-of-13, a sharp contrast to their usual 3-per-game average. Despite early turnover struggles, the Longhorns turned up the heat from deep, pushing ahead and never looking back. With Vanderbilt in foul trouble late, Texas capitalized, extending their lead to a commanding 21 points in the final minutes.
The game saw 46 fouls called and 52 free throws attempted, with both teams having players foul out and others teetering on the edge of disqualification.
The star of the night, Holle, delivered her best performance of the season, playing 38 minutes and pouring in crucial points well into the fourth quarter. While Vanderbilt’s freshman phenom Mikayla Blakes, who had recently shattered an NCAA scoring record, managed to score 22 points, it wasn’t enough to outshine Texas’ balanced attack. Commodore forward Khamil Pierre led all scorers with 26 points, but the Longhorns’ defense and offensive firepower proved overwhelming.
Madison Booker, despite foul trouble, led Texas in scoring with 20 points and hit a milestone, reaching 1,000 career points. Freshman Jordan Lee had a breakout game, contributing 12 points, including 3-of-5 from three. Rori Harmon played a pivotal role, dishing out 5 assists, while Taylor Jones, battling foul trouble, added 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Texas’ depth, grit, and sharpshooting overwhelmed Vanderbilt, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. This explosive win solidifies their place as one of the nation’s top teams—watch out for the Longhorns!
