The Texas Longhorns, sitting pretty as the No. 1 seed, wrapped up an undefeated season at the Moody Center with a show-stopping performance in the NCAA Tournament's opening rounds. Their 100-58 victory over the No. 8 seed Oregon Ducks wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The game was a fitting farewell for senior point guard Rori Harmon and a career-defining moment for junior wing Madison Booker, who dazzled with a career-high 40 points.
Under the guidance of Vic Schaefer, the Longhorns dominated their first two games with an 84-point combined margin. Booker's electrifying play was the centerpiece on Sunday, shooting 66.7% from the field with two three-pointers, nearly perfect free-throw shooting at 10-of-11, and contributing across the board with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Rori Harmon was a defensive powerhouse, racking up five steals and facilitating the offense with six assists. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Jordan Lee chipped in 17 points, showcasing her range with three threes and an 8-of-12 shooting performance from downtown.
The Longhorns' defense was relentless, turning 15 turnovers into 23 points, and their bench added to the firepower with a 28-14 scoring advantage. While the game was competitive in the first half, with Texas leading by 10 at the break, the Longhorns exploded in the third quarter with a 28-8 run. Booker was unstoppable, pouring in 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while the Ducks struggled, hitting just 2-of-12 and committing seven turnovers.
By the fourth quarter, Texas had the game firmly in hand, extending their lead with an 11-point margin as both Booker and Lee added eight points each.
Next up for Texas is the Sweet 16 in Fort Worth, where they'll face off against the winner of the West Virginia vs. Kentucky matchup.
That showdown takes place in Morgantown on Monday at 4:00 p.m. Central on ESPN2.
The Longhorns are staying in Texas, and if their current form is anything to go by, they're a team to watch.