No. 4 Texas Women’s Basketball Overcomes UCLA in Players Era Championship Opener
Texas women’s basketball demonstrated resilience and clutch performance, defeating No. 3 UCLA 76-65 on Wednesday in the first game of the Players Era Championship. The victory propels the Longhorns to a 6-0 record on the season and sets the stage for a championship showdown with No. 2 South Carolina.
Dominant First Half Sets the Tone
The Longhorns established a commanding lead early, shooting an impressive 19-of-37 (51.4 percent) from the field in the opening half. This efficiency allowed Texas to build a substantial 45-25 advantage at the halftime break. A key factor in their success was ball control; Texas committed only one turnover in the first half while forcing 10 from UCLA.
Harmon Leads Texas to Victory
Despite a late surge from UCLA, Rori Harmon proved to be the driving force for Texas, particularly in the fourth quarter. Harmon scored 10 of the Longhorns’ 14 points in the final frame, finishing the game with a remarkable 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting. She also contributed five assists, bringing her within nine assists of breaking the UT career assist record.
“Harmon’s ability to take over in crucial moments was undeniable,” a senior official stated.
Harmon wasn’t the only Longhorn to contribute significantly. Madison Booker added 16 points and seven rebounds, showcasing an all-around performance, while Jordan Lee chipped in with 13 points. Justice Carlton provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points for Texas.
Late-Game Resilience
UCLA managed to close the gap to within four points (64-60) with 4:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Harmon responded with consecutive jumpers, extending the Texas lead. After UCLA again narrowed the deficit to four (66-62), Harmon answered with another crucial basket. A pair of free throws from Village of Oldacre further solidified Texas’s advantage, ultimately leading to a double-digit victory.
Schaefer Reaches Milestone
The win marked the 150th victory for Texas head coach Vic Schaefer at the helm of the program. Schaefer now boasts a record of 150-36 with the Longhorns, solidifying his position as a successful leader.
Championship Matchup Looms
Texas will now face a formidable challenge in No. 2 South Carolina in the championship game of the Players Era tournament. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT on Thursday.
Game Notes:
- Texas improved to 6-0 on the season with this victory, securing their second ranked win of the year.
- Harmon currently has 37 assists and only five turnovers on the season.
- The Longhorns forced 20 turnovers from UCLA, converting those into 18 points.
- Texas secured 12 offensive rebounds, resulting in 16 second-chance points.
- The Longhorns outshot UCLA from beyond the arc, making six 3-pointers compared to UCLA’s four.
