Coming off a loss to No. 7 Kansas State, Texas women's basketball, led by junior forward Aaliyah Moore, dominated the Kansas Jayhawks with a 91-56 victory on Tuesday. Texas displayed exceptional skills, with Moore’s perfect 7-7 from the field.
Early in the match, Texas struggled to find their rhythm, but Moore's layup 90 seconds into the first quarter sparked the team's offense. Moore, receiving her second consecutive start, lived up to the high expectations set for her since joining the Longhorns, said head coach Vic Schaefer.
“When we recruited her and she came here, my vision for her was like tonight, and wanting that every night,” Vic Schaefer said, via Emmanuel Ramirez of The Daily Texan.
The Longhorns' offense was on full display as they executed a 12-0 run, concluding the first quarter with a 25-12 lead. Their defensive play was equally impressive, restricting Kansas to a mere six points halfway through the second quarter and forcing nine turnovers by halftime. Texas led by 21 points at the break, a significant improvement from their 18% three-point shooting against Kansas State.
Moore, having recovered from an ACL injury that limited her to just nine games last season, maintained her impressive form, averaging 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in her recent four games. Meanwhile, Madison Booker had an average of 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists, contributed five rebounds and six assists.
Senior guard Shay Holle, who contributed eight points and shot 2-3 from deep, remarked on the team's improved shooting.
“It definitely made me get in the gym extra going into this game,” she said.
The second half saw Texas extending their lead, with tensions rising in the third quarter leading to technical fouls for both teams. The Longhorns’ lead peaked at 38 points in the final quarter.
Khadija Faye and Shaylee Gonzales also contributed significantly, with Texas shooting an impressive 59% from the field, per the Associated Press. Kansas, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting, particularly from the three-point line.
S’Mya Nichols and Zakiyah Franklin led Kansas with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Coach Schaefer emphasized the need for consistency as a key focus for the team moving forward.
“It’s consistency,” he said. “That’s what we’re after right now. I’m after it.”
The Longhorns, now 17-2, look to maintain their momentum against Oklahoma State on Saturday.
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