In a game that tested every ounce of determination, Texas women’s basketball fought tooth and nail to secure a hard-earned 70-61 victory over Missouri. The No. 5 Longhorns faced a sluggish start, but a game-changing moment just before halftime sparked a fierce turnaround, and they never looked back.
With seconds ticking away in the second quarter, freshman guard Bryanna Preston made a game-altering steal from Missouri, preventing the Tigers from heading into the third quarter with a bigger lead. This clutch defensive play was exactly the spark the Longhorns needed, as sophomore Madison Booker put it: “That stop on defense really got us going.”
After a slow 12 minutes, Booker found her rhythm and the entire team followed suit. Despite a rough first half, Texas stormed back to seize control of the game, ultimately securing the win. The Longhorns have faced slow starts before, including nail-biting wins over Tennessee and Ole Miss, but this one was different—it was a gritty, no-quit performance that solidified their resilience.
Texas’ bench was depleted, missing senior forward Aaliyah Moore and an athletic trainer due to illness, but senior Taylor Jones stepped up in a major way. Her explosive 17 points led the team, with a strong start in the first quarter where she put up nine points to keep Texas in the game. The SEC Player of the Week proved her worth again, playing with grit and passion.
Despite not playing their best basketball, the Longhorns stayed true to head coach Vic Schaefer’s relentless standard of excellence, earning the win with determination and heart. Texas may not have had the smoothest game, but they certainly proved their championship pedigree in this thrilling victory.
