AUSTIN (KXAN) — Part of the mission for the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team is now complete. In their first year in the Southeastern Conference, they’ll get a piece of the regular season title after blowing out Florida 72-46 Sunday at Moody Center.
With a 15-1 record, the No. 1 Longhorns will share the regular season title with No. 6 South Carolina. Since both teams beat each other in SEC play, a coin flip decided their seeds for the conference tournament that begins March 5 in Greenville, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won the flip and will be the No. 1 seed with the Longhorns at No. 2.
Here’s the team’s reaction to watching SEC commissioner Greg Sankey make the flip from league headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama:
“At this point, I don’t think we care who we’re going to see next week (in the SEC tournament),” Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer said. “We’re just going to show up and play. What they’ve accomplished this year is amazing. I wanted this bad for them. It’s all I could think about for about two weeks, trying to get them home.”
Texas (29-2, 15-1) held the Gators to 33% shooting with 17 field goals, scoring 30 points below their season average. Florida came into the game shooting 46% from the field and scoring 76 points per game. The Longhorns led the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 56 points per game coming into play Sunday. Texas has won 13 consecutive games.
Florida shot 1-for-15 from 3-point range and 11-for-18 from the foul line. Texas was 46% from the field at 26 for 57 and held the Gators to eight points in the second quarter. The Longhorns had 21 assists to Florida’s seven.
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The No. 1 Texas Longhorns beat Florida 72-46 to win a share of the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. (KXAN photo/LeVon Whittaker) -
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns beat Florida 72-46 to win a share of the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. (KXAN photo/LeVon Whittaker) -
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns beat Florida 72-46 to win a share of the Southeastern Conference regular season championship. (KXAN photo/LeVon Whittaker)
Kyla Oldacre led the way for the Longhorns with 18 points and six rebounds and Madison Booker scored 14 points on 6 of 10 shooting. Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda chipped in 11 points and Rori Harmon dished nine assists and grabbed seven rebounds. Texas outscored Florida 36-22 in the paint and 21-9 off turnovers, forcing 23 turnovers.
Ra Shaya Kyle was the only Florida player to score in double figures with 12 points. Liv McGill scored nine points with seven rebounds. The Gators were whistled for 29 personal fouls with Kyle, McGill and Laila Reynolds fouling out. Texas picked up 20 fouls.
As is the tradition with the final regular season home game, Texas honored four seniors for their commitment to the program. Shay Holle, the Westlake grad who is the winningest player in program history, Taylor Jones, Aaliyah Moore and Harmon were recognized in a pregame ceremony. Harmon has a medical redshirt year of eligibility remaining if she wants to use it.
“These seniors, what a blessing,” Schaefer said. “They’re special. I appreciate them so much. They are the ultimate warriors and so competitive. I appreciate their families for entrusting us with their daughters and I appreciate who they are with their character, toughness and competitive spirit.”
Texas will start SEC tournament play March 7 in the quarterfinals.
