AUSTIN – In an electric, back-and-forth battle, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns narrowly defeated the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers, 80-76, in a heart-stopping thriller that lived up to its NCAA tournament-caliber hype. With the game hanging in the balance, senior guard Rori Harmon sealed the deal with two clutch free throws with just three seconds left, giving Texas a four-point lead and securing the win.
Tennessee jumped out to an early 5-0 advantage thanks to a flurry of steals, but the Longhorns quickly regained control and kept the pressure on. The two teams showcased contrasting styles, with Tennessee lighting it up from beyond the arc (9-of-17 three-pointers) while Texas dominated the paint, shooting 50% from the floor and making 32 field goals.
The spotlight was on the guards, with Texas’ sophomore sensation Madison Booker stealing the show. Booker poured in 26 points, leading all scorers, and continuing her remarkable scoring streak with 76 points over her last three games. Despite Tennessee’s aggressive defense and full-court press, Texas maintained composure, keeping turnovers even at 12 apiece.
Inside the paint, Taylor Jones was a force, grabbing a double-double (her sixth of the season) with 21 points and key plays down the stretch after battling through a shoulder injury. Aalyiah Moore also made an impact, contributing 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Though Harmon didn’t lead in scoring, she showed her value with 8 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals, proving once again that her leadership is invaluable in clutch moments.
With the win, Texas improved to 19-2 overall and 5-1 in SEC play, showing they can thrive in intense, high-stakes situations. Next up: a showdown at Ole Miss on Sunday, Jan 26.
