The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
9-2
UTRGV
6-5
No. 12 Women's Basketball wins at UTRGV, 81-66
12.20.2018 | Women's Basketball
Senior Jatarie White picks up her third double-double of the season.
EDINBURG, Texas — Senior center Jatarie White led No. 12 Texas (9-2) to an 81-66 win over UTRGV (6-5), sinking 20 points against the Vaqueros on Thursday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. White picked up 12 rebounds as well, tying her career high in boards and earning her third double-double of the season.
Junior forward Joyner Holmes recorded double-digits in scoring as well, adding 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists for her best performance of the season. Fellow junior Sug Sutton dished out a game-high nine assists and scored 13 points for the Burnt Orange. Sophomore Destiny Littleton provided a solid contribution off the bench, adding nine points, all three-point baskets.
UTRGV's gritty effort did not go unnoticed on Thursday night, as the Vaqueros went 47 percent (14-of-30) in three pointers and tallied 22 defensive rebounds.
The Longhorns went on an 8-0 run out of the gates, however UTRGV had four three-pointers within the first five minutes of play, gaining the lead. Texas was able to regain a two-point lead (18-16) at 1:51 with a layup from freshman Charli Collier and ended the quarter ahead by just a point. In the first two minutes of the second period, Texas picked up two offensive fouls, but was able to gain a solid lead over the Vaqueros, going on a 9-0 run. UTRGV went scoreless for over three minutes before UTRGV's Quynne Huggins scored back-to-back threes. Freshman Joanne Allen-Taylor banked a final trey before going into the locker room, with Texas leading 41-34.
The Longhorns and Vaqueros returned to battle in the second half, with UTRGV closing in as close as 41-40 at 8:58 off a three point shot from Idil Turk. Tapping into the gas and not looking back, Texas took off on a relentless 15-0 run over 4:05, capitalizing on several turnovers and fouls by UTRGV. With just under five minutes left in the quarter, Texas led 56-40. A pair of free throws from junior Joyner Holmes put Texas at 59-47, before UTRGV hit a free throw to end the quarter.
The largest lead of the game (67-48) came in the final period at 7:50, as Texas went on a 6-0 mini run. However, UTRGV snapped back on 10-0 run, bringing the game within nine points. Littleton hit a pair of threes and Holmes sank a layup, bringing the margin back to 15 points, in favor of the Longhorns. Texas closed its scoring on a jumper from Allen-Taylor with under 40 seconds to go and UTRGV finished the game on a three-pointer, closing out the Longhorns' 15-point victory over the Vaqueros.
KEY STATISTICS
- The Longhorns used the starting lineup of Holmes, White, Audrey Warren, Sutton and Williams for the second time this season.
- In 25 minutes of play, White earned her third double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
- White has scored in double figures in eight of 11 games this season.
- Senior guard Danni Williams racked up nine rebounds, tying her career high from the Quinnipiac contest in November.
- Holmes tied her career high in assists for the seventh time with four.
- Texas' bench scored 22 points.
- Texas capitalized on second-chance opportunities, outscoring UTRGV 21-10 in such instances.
- Texas clinched the rebound game with 49 boards to UTRGV's 28.
- Both teams scored double digits in each quarter, with the fewest coming from UTRGV in the third quarter (14) and the most coming from Texas in the second quarter (23).
UP NEXT
Texas will return from the holiday break to host Northwestern State on Dec. 29 at the Erwin Center. Tip-off on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on the Longhorn Network and broadcast locally on 105.3 FM and nationally at hookem.at/WBBAudio.
