Th No. 2 Texas Longhorns (18-1, 3-1) women’s basketball team traveled to Baton Rouge Sunday for a nationally-televised, top-25 SEC clash against the No. 12 LSU Tigers (16-2, 2-2) and fell short, 70-65,
ending the undefeated start for head coach Vic Schaefer.
In the first quarter, both teams came out swinging keeping the game neck and neck even though the Longhorns turned the ball over seven times and shot 35.7 percent from the field. Texas’ junior forward Madison Booker snagged four rebounds and knocked in four points along with senior center Kyla Oldacre, who came off the bench to hit for four points. Texas was able to limit the LSU offense holding their shooting percentage to 26.7 to end the first period tied at 11-11.
In the second period the Tigers went on a early 7-0 run end and ultimately hit 50 percent from the field in the quarter. Sophomore guard Jordan Lee led the Longhorns with six points, along with Breya Preston aiding off the bench with four points.
The Texas offense was sloppy, however, as the Longhorns turned the ball over 11 times in the first half and shot 41 percent from the field while junior Mi’kaylah Williams led the Tigers with 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists to go into halftime with LSU up 40-25.
In the the third period, Texas’ Booker worked the paint, collecting six points with two boards while LSU spread the ball around, hitting 42.9 percent of their shots from the field. The Longhorns were able to cut into the lead for the Tigers, but only by four points to end the third quarter down 11 points.
Texas was able to outscore LSU again in the fourth quarter in a rally attempt, knocking down 50 percent of their shots from the field with Booker leading with 14 points while Oldacre cleaned up with eight points and eight rebounds for the Longhorns, an attempt that ultimately came up short.
Texas only gave up six turnovers in the second half, but could not control the paint, giving up 22 points and getting out-rebounded 24-17. Despite being outscored 26-20, the No. 12 Tigers closed it out.
The Longhorns were held to 25-of-57 shooting (44 percent) from the field, 4-of-12 shooting (33 percent) from behind the arc, and 11-of-18 from the free-throw line (61 percent). Texas’ Oldacre nabbed her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 16 rebounds, along with Booker who snagged 24 points with seven rebounds. Lee was able to hit for 12 points and Carlton added seven points. The Tigers out-rebounded the Longhorns, 44-35, and forced 17 Texas turnovers while holding the Longhorns to just nine assists.
Next up,Texas travels to Columbia to face South Carolina on January 15 at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN2.
