In a thrilling showdown in Austin, Texas, Oregon faced the daunting task of toppling top-seeded Texas on their home court. The night, however, belonged to Texas, driven by an extraordinary performance from Madison Booker, who dropped a career-high 40 points. Texas, a team not typically known for their three-point prowess, caught fire from beyond the arc, sinking 8-of-12 threes, leading to a commanding 100-58 victory.
Oregon's coach, Kelly Graves, had high praise for Booker, acknowledging the matchup challenges she presented. "There's nothing she can't do," Graves remarked.
"We just don't have anybody physically that can match up with her. She really shot it well and was aggressive.
Hat's off to her."
The game kicked off with Oregon racing to a 13-8 lead, showcasing a frenetic pace. Even as Texas began to seize control in the second quarter, Oregon managed to keep the halftime deficit to 11 points, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Janiyah Williams. Both teams displayed impressive shooting in the first half, each hitting over 50 percent from the field.
However, the second half saw Texas elevate their game, shooting a blistering 19-of-31, while Oregon struggled, dipping below 30 percent. Graves noted, "In the first half, we were hanging in there.
Booker was getting hers, but we had done a pretty good job on the others. That third quarter, they really took it to us."
Texas, not typically a high-volume perimeter team, surprised many by doubling their season average in made threes. Booker, the driving force behind Texas' offense, achieved her 40 points on an efficient 14-of-21 shooting. After a stellar 14-point first quarter, she was momentarily slowed in the second but erupted for 21 points in the second half.
Oregon's standout sophomores, Katie Fiso and Ehis Etute, led the Ducks with 16 points and a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, respectively. Despite their efforts, Texas effectively limited their opportunities, holding both to just nine field goal attempts each.
Reflecting on the season, Fiso expressed gratitude, saying, "What a blessing it is to be here. Not a lot of people get this opportunity. I'm just super thankful for the future to come."
While the season ended on a sour note, it marked a successful run for Oregon. With 23 wins, the team achieved its best record since Sabrina Ionescu's final season in 2019-20. They reached the NCAA Tournament and secured a win for the second consecutive year.
Looking ahead, the future appears bright for Oregon. With four of five starters eligible to return, including their top scorers, and the promising Elisa Mevius set to make an impact next season, the Ducks have a solid foundation to build upon.