The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
19-11,11-7Big 12
Oklahoma State
15-15,6-12Big 12
Women’s Basketball closes regular season with 63-52 win over Oklahoma State
03.08.2020 | Women's Basketball
Longhorns honor five senior players, four senior staffers and retire the No. 24 jersey of Clarissa Davis
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas celebrated Senior Day on Sunday with double-doubles from Joyner Holmes and Charli Collier, as the Longhorns closed the regular season with a 63-52 Big 12 Conference win over Oklahoma State at the Frank Erwin Center.
Holmes scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Collier had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sug Sutton, with 13, also scored in double figures for Texas (19-11, 11-7). Natasha Mack led OSU (15-15, 6-12) with 16 points.
After ceding the Cowgirls a game-opening 4-0 lead, the Longhorns put together a 14-2 run to take an eight-point advantage with three and one-half minutes remaining in the first quarter. However, OSU went on an 8-0 run of its own to lead, 16-14, at the end of the period. Holmes scored seven points and got three rebounds for UT in the first 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, the lead changed hands five times, the score was tied four times and neither team led by more than two points prior to the last two minutes. Then, Sug Sutton hit a jumper, Jada Underwood turned in a three-point play, and Holmes scored on a fast break to give the Longhorns a 32-27 margin at the intermission. Holmes had 11 points and Collier seven in the halftime stats.
Sutton's steal, cross-court drive and layup on the last play of the third quarter gave Texas an eight-point lead, 46-38.
The Cowgirls cut the Longhorns' margin to five points on two occasions during the fourth quarter, but Collier's two free throws with 1:23 remaining in the game nailed down UT's 11-point victory.
KEY STATISTICS
- During Senior Day festivities after the game, Head Coach Karen Aston honored seniors Holmes, Sutton, Underwood, Lashann Higgs and Sophie Taylor.
- UT also honored senior undergraduate staff members Nick Bovine, Adrian Valadez, Joe Lu and Annie Tsai.
- Prior to the game, the University of Texas retired the No. 24 jersey of two-time All-American and Naismith Trophy winner Clarissa Davis. She played for the Longhorns in 1985-86 and 1988-89 -- and was the Most Valuable Player of the 1986 NCAA Final Four.
- The Longhorns started Holmes, Sutton, Collier, Higgs and Underwood.
- Holmes' double-double was the 27th of her career and 14th of the season.
- Collier's double-double was the 15th of her season and career.
- After the 53rd meeting between both universities, Texas leads the series, 38-15.
- UT made 12 of 14 free throws, scored 18 points on fast breaks, scored 34 points in the paint and stole the ball 11 times.
TEXAS HEAD COACH KAREN ASTON
"It was a great day, starting with Clarissa Davis' retirement of her jersey. It was an iconic event when you think about it. It has taken a long time and is such a well-deserved honor. She had a chance to speak to the team before the game. This game was about the seniors. It was one of those days that are hard when you're a senior, and when you're a coach that has been with these guys for so long. I think they did a great job of keeping their emotions in check until the game was over. They really led the way today. They hit big shots when we needed them and kept the team focused as we went along and Oklahoma State made runs. This time of the year, when you have one game left, legs were tired. Thursday was a hard game for us. We got in late and then had to turn around and get ready for this game. I was concerned about our energy level and I'm really proud of this group for focusing and getting a win."
OKLAHOMA STATE HEAD COACH JIM LITTELL
"We put ourselves in a position to win the ball game, but we had too many turnovers that resulted in points for Texas for easy-chance layups. We started the game saying that we couldn't give them easy baskets, but that's what they got -- easy baskets off of our turnovers or put backs. They did a good job on the offensive board, but we zoned them and they went three for 21. We didn't get enough rebounds and they got a lot of second-chance points but we're going to have to hit more shots than that to beat Texas on the road."
UP NEXT
Texas contests for the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship this weekend at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Texas, the No. 3 seed, will play on Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT against the No. 6 seed, West Virginia.
