Texas Turns Up the Heat: Defense, Depth, and Dominance in Rout of Baylor
Texas didn’t just beat Baylor on Sunday - they dismantled them. In a game that was supposed to be a showdown between two top-15 teams, No.
2 Texas turned it into a statement, forcing 30 turnovers en route to an 89-54 blowout win over No. 13 Baylor at the Sprouts Farmers Market espnW Invitational in Fort Worth.
Let’s put that number in perspective: 30 turnovers is the most Baylor has committed in a game since 2008. And Texas didn’t just take the ball away - they turned it into offense, racking up a staggering 42-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
That kind of two-way dominance doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of relentless pressure, smart rotations, and a team that’s completely bought in on both ends of the court.
Texas' Defense Sets the Tone Early
Baylor actually came out swinging, hitting their first four shots and jumping to a 9-4 lead. But that brief spark was extinguished almost immediately.
Sophomore guard Jordan Lee sparked a defensive surge with back-to-back steals, followed by another theft from Teya Sidberry, who was face-guarding Baylor standout Darianna Littlepage-Buggs. That sequence ignited a 16-0 Texas run that completely flipped the game on its head.
By the end of the first quarter, Baylor had coughed up the ball eight times, while Texas had just one turnover. The Longhorns turned those miscues into a 17-2 advantage in points off turnovers - and a 29-13 lead on the scoreboard. From that point on, Baylor never got closer than 14.
Lee was everywhere, finishing with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting and a team-high four steals. Sidberry brought the energy defensively, and junior point guard Rori Harmon once again proved why she’s one of the best floor generals in the country. Harmon tallied 12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and three steals - a stat line that only scratches the surface of her impact.
Shutting Down a Star
Baylor’s offense runs through Taliah Scott, who entered the game averaging 23.8 points per contest - seventh in the nation. But Texas’ defense completely disrupted her rhythm. Scott was held to just nine points on 2-of-8 shooting and turned the ball over four times before exiting midway through the second quarter with what looked like a right ankle injury.
Senior point guard Jana Van Gytenbeek tried to steady the ship for Baylor, dishing out seven assists, but also committed a team-high seven turnovers. Against Texas’ swarming defense, even the veterans weren’t immune.
Madison Booker: The Engine of the Offense
While the defense stole the show early, Madison Booker made sure the offense kept humming. Coming off a triple-double performance just days earlier, the junior All-American delivered another gem - 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, along with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
What stood out about Booker’s performance wasn’t just the numbers - it was the way she elevated as the game progressed. She started solid, hitting 2-of-4 in the first quarter, then ramped it up with a 4-of-7 second quarter, a perfect 4-of-4 third quarter, and a flawless 2-of-2 in the fourth. Efficient, poised, and in total control - Booker looked every bit the All-American she’s projected to be.
Depth and Development Amid Injuries
Texas’ perfect 12-0 start becomes even more impressive when you consider who hasn’t been on the floor. The Longhorns have been without three key contributors for most - or all - of the season: freshman starter Aaliyah Crump (foot), backup point guard Bryanna Preston (ankle), and Missouri transfer Ashton Judd (kneecap).
Crump was averaging 13.2 points per game before her injury, while Preston was chipping in 10.0. Judd has yet to suit up this season.
But instead of faltering, Texas has flourished. They’ve already knocked off four top-13 opponents: then-No.
3 UCLA, then-No. 2 South Carolina, then-No.
11 North Carolina, and now No. 13 Baylor - all without those three.
That’s where the development of players like Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton comes into play. Lee has blossomed into a legitimate two-way threat, averaging 14.8 points per game. Carlton, a sophomore guard-forward, has found her groove too, putting up 11.1 points per game over the last seven contests.
A Statistical Juggernaut
Texas didn’t just look dominant on Sunday - they’ve been dominant all season. Coming into the game, the Longhorns ranked top-five nationally in several key categories: scoring margin (No.
2, +39.8), turnover margin (No. 3, +13.82), fewest turnovers per game (No.
3, 10.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (No. 4, 1.92), and scoring offense (No.
5, 93.4 points per game).
Those aren’t just good numbers - they’re elite. And they speak to a team that’s not only talented but disciplined, balanced, and playing with a clear identity.
Bottom Line
This wasn’t just a win - it was a warning. Texas is undefeated, battle-tested, and doing it without a full roster. Their defense is suffocating, their offense is efficient, and their stars are stepping up when it matters most.
If this is what the Longhorns look like in December, just imagine what they’ll be when they’re fully healthy. The rest of the country should be paying attention - because Texas isn’t just winning games. They’re making statements.