The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
32-4,14-4Big 12
Alabama
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Women’s Basketball advances to Sweet 16 with 65-54 win over Alabama
03.24.2024 | Women's Basketball
Longhorns advance to 18th Sweet 16 in program history.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas women's basketball team advanced to their 18th Sweet 16 in program history and won their 32nd game of the season, their most since the 1987-88 season with their 65-54 win over Alabama on Sunday at Moody Center.
Madison Booker and Aaliyah Moore scored 21 apiece for the Longhorns, who used a 7-0 run to go up 15-8 early in the game.
Moore added 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Texas held an Alabama team that was averaging 73.7 points per game to 33.9 percent shooting from the field and 54 total points.
Moore hit a 3-point shot in the third quarter to put Texas up 45-32. In the fourth quarter as Alabama closed the gap to single digits Gaston made a basket and got fouled and after her free-throw Texas led 53-40 at the 7:17 mark of the fourth quarter. On the next Alabama possession Moore blocked a shot and after a Texas miss on the offensive end grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to put Texas up 55-40. The Longhorns would keep a double digit lead the rest of the way.
The Longhorns blocked 11 shots to tie a program record for blocks in an NCAA tournament game.
Up next Texas will take on either Utah or Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 in Portland, Oregon. That game will be played on Friday, March 29.
Postgame Notes
- Texas improved to 32-4 on the season. The Longhorns have won 14 of their last 15 games. The 32 wins is the most for a Texas team since the 1987-88 season.
- The Longhorns established their presence on both sides of the paint as they outscored Alabama 34-22 in paintpoints and blocked a season-high 11 shots. Senior Taylor Jones led the way with four blocks and there were six Longhorns who picked up a block.
- Entering tonight's matchup, Alabama's offense was averaging 73.7 points a night, meaning Texas held them to 20 points below their average. In addition to the interior defense, the Longhorns forced nine steals and 15 total turnovers.
- All-American Freshman Madison Booker set the tone to begin the game by scoring six of Texas' first eight points.
- The Longhorns dominated the boards to begin the second quarter and at one point boasted a 7-0 advantage in offensive rebounds. They finished the night outrebounding Alabama 45-34.
- Texas locked in defensively to end the first half as Alabama only made one of their last nine field goals.
- The Longhorns started the third quarter strong going on a 10-3 run and forcing Alabama to use a timeout.
- Texas brought out the same energy in the fourth quarter as they held Alabama scoreless for over three minutes which allowed them to build their lead.
- The Longhorns outscored Alabama in all four quarters and kept them to under 15 points in three of the four quarters.
- Junior Aaliyah Moore led the way posting her fourth double-double with a stat line of 21 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one charge drawn.
- After a strong start All-American Freshman Madison Booker finished the night with a tied team-high 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals. This marks the 14th time this season Booker has scored 20 or more points for the Longhorns.
- Texas led second chance points 23-13 and grabbed 18 offensive boards for the game.
