Texas Women’s Basketball Outlasts Tennessee in Gritty Road Win, Secures 10th Ranked Victory
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - This one had all the makings of a heavyweight bout, and the No. 4 Texas Longhorns delivered the final punch.
In a game that swung back and forth like a pendulum, Texas held off a furious late rally to edge No. 22 Tennessee, 65-63, on the road Sunday - picking up their 10th win over a ranked opponent this season.
It was a game that demanded toughness, poise, and timely execution - and the Longhorns brought all three.
Balanced Attack, Big-Time Plays
Madison Booker once again led the way for Texas, finishing with 14 points - none bigger than the two free throws she calmly sank with 16 seconds left to give the Longhorns a three-point cushion. Rori Harmon chipped in 12 points, four steals, and three assists, while Jordan Lee added 12 points of her own, including a key and-one in the third quarter that helped shift momentum.
Justice Carlton and Breya Cunningham each contributed eight points, and Teya Sidberry added six - part of a balanced scoring effort that saw six different Longhorns make meaningful contributions.
Fast Start, Fierce Finish
Tennessee came out swinging, leading 14-12 midway through the first quarter. But Texas responded with a defensive lockdown and a 12-2 run to close the frame. The Longhorns shot a blistering 11-of-15 from the field in the quarter, getting six points apiece from Booker, Harmon, and Sidberry to take a 24-16 lead.
The second quarter, though, belonged to the Lady Vols. They tightened up defensively, outscoring Texas 18-10 and sending the game into halftime deadlocked at 34.
Then came the turning point.
With Tennessee holding a narrow 40-38 edge in the third, Jordan Lee powered to the rim, absorbed contact, and converted the and-one to flip the lead back to Texas. That moment seemed to spark the Longhorns.
Rori Harmon, as she’s done so many times in her career, made a defensive statement - grabbing a steal and racing coast-to-coast for a layup. Seconds later, she swiped another inbounds pass, setting up free throws that helped Texas head into the fourth quarter up 50-47.
Closing Time
The Longhorns opened the fourth with a burst, scoring 10 of the first 13 points to stretch their lead to 60-50. Justice Carlton was the catalyst, scoring six straight points before Booker found her for a layup that capped the run.
Tennessee, to their credit, didn’t go quietly. The Lady Vols clawed back, trimming the deficit to just one at 62-61 with under two minutes to play.
But when the game hung in the balance, Booker stepped to the line and delivered. Her two free throws with 16 seconds left gave Texas the breathing room they needed, and the defense held firm to seal the win.
Milestones and Marks
This win pushes Texas to 24-3 overall and 9-3 in SEC play - and it’s yet another ranked victory added to their growing résumé. It also marked a pair of career milestones for two of the program’s cornerstone players.
Rori Harmon notched her 900th career assist, extending her own school record in both assists (902) and steals (357). She continues to be the engine that drives this Texas team, setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
Madison Booker’s 14-point outing moved her into ninth on the Longhorns’ all-time scoring list with 1,730 points. Harmon, with her 12-point effort, climbed into 19th all-time with 1,530.
Texas also dominated the paint, putting up 40 points inside and forcing 23 Tennessee turnovers - a testament to their physicality and defensive intensity. At the free-throw line, they were clutch, converting 17-of-23 (74%) in a game where every point mattered.
What’s Next
The Longhorns now turn their attention to a makeup game against Arkansas in Fayetteville on Thursday, Feb. 19. With the SEC race heating up and March looming, Texas is showing the kind of grit and depth that makes them a legitimate contender.
Sunday’s win wasn’t just another tally in the win column - it was a battle-tested performance on the road in a hostile environment. And the Longhorns proved, once again, they’re built for the big moments.