AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns are headed to the Sweet 16 for the 18th time in school history.
The top seed in Regional 4 turned back eighth-seeded Alabama 65-54 Sunday at Moody Center behind a bruising effort in the paint, blocking 11 shots and outrebounding the Crimson Tide 45-34.
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Aaliyah Moore finished with a double-double for the Longhorns, pouring in 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. She made the only 3-point field goal for Texas in the third quarter with the shot clock winding down, bringing the raucous crowd to full throat. It was her fourth 3-pointer of the season, giving the Longhorns a 45-32 lead with 3:39 left in the quarter.
“Honestly, I just shot it,” she said with a laugh. “I practice it, but I just don’t show it a lot. When it went in, I was like, ‘Ooo, that’s nice.'”
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Texas forward Madison Booker (35) shoots over Alabama forward Essence Cody (21) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore (23) grabs a rebound in front of Alabama guard Del’Janae Williams (51) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) shoots over Alabama forward Essence Cody (21) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore (23) is fouled by Alabama forward Essence Cody (21) as she tries to shoot during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas guard Shay Holle (10) drives to the basket against Alabama center JeAnna Cunningham (13) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) drives to the basket against Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Madison Booker, left, and Alabama guard Karly Weathers, right, chase a loose ball during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama guard Karly Weathers (22) grabs a rebound in front of Texas forward Aaliyah Moore, right, during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer reacts to a call during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Alabama in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore (23) grabs a rebound during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Alabama in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Taylor Jones (44) celebrates a score against Alabama during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Madison Booker, front, and Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, rear, scramble for a loose ball during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Madison Booker, front, and Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, rear, scramble for a loose ball during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama head coach Kristy Curry reacts to a call during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Texas in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, left, and Texas guard Shay Holle, right, scramble for a loose ball during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama head coach Kristy Curry reacts to a call during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Texas in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore, right, celebrates with head coach Vic Schaefer, left, after their win over Alabama in a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore (23) celebrates after the team’s win over Alabama in a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer, center, celebrates with his team after their win over Alabama in a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama guard Aaliyah Nye (32) tries to shoot past Texas guard Shaylee Gonzales (2) and forward Taylor Jones (44) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Aaliyah Moore (23) celebrates after the team’s win over Alabama in a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Texas forward Taylor Jones (44) knocks the ball away from Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (3) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) -
Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (3) is blocked by Texas guard Shaylee Gonzales (2) as she drives to the basket during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Crimson Tide cut the Longhorns’ lead to one point twice in the second quarter, but Texas went on a 6-0 spurt to stretch their lead back to seven points, eventually taking a 31-24 lead into halftime. Texas began the second half on an 8-0 run to go up 39-24 about three minutes in.
“I thought we opened the second half right,” Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer said. “We were locked in defensively and offensively we made enough plays. What this team continues to do is really quite amazing. They played their guts out today.”
The Longhorns went on another 7-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put the game away. Texas held a big advantage from the foul line, going 16 of 21 from the stripe, while Alabama made 7 of 9 attempts. Alabama was whistled for 17 fouls and Texas had 11.
Madison Booker scored 21 points on 9 of 16 shooting while DeYona Gaston chipped in nine points and seven rebounds. Texas shot 40% from the field and outscored the Crimson Tide 34-22 in the paint. Texas’ bench outscored Alabama’s 13-0 and the Longhorns led 23-13 in second-chance points.
Former Longhorn and NBA superstar Kevin Durant sat behind the Texas bench, and most of the players didn’t realize he was there until near the end of the game. Schaefer was very appreciative that Durant came back and supported the team.
“I thought we had an edge today,” Schaefer said. “How could you not with KD in the building? He could be anywhere in the world on his day off, and he chose to support us.”
For Alabama (24-10), Sarah Ashlee Barker scored 17 points on 7 of 19 shooting. Aaliyah Nye had 14 points and Loyal McQueen chipped in 12. Next season, the teams will be the in same conference as Texas makes the move to the Southeastern Conference.
Texas (32-4) will play Gonzaga or Utah in the Sweet 16 on March 29 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Texas’ win total is the most in program history since the 1987-88 season.