The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
33-3,15-1SEC
Illinois
22-10,11-7Big Ten
No. 5/5 Women’s Basketball advances to Sweet 16 with victory over Illinois, 65-48
03.24.2025 | Women's Basketball
Longhorns reach their 19th Sweet 16 in program history.
AUSTIN, Texas — Madison Booker and Taylor Jones combined for 32 points, while Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda recorded a career-high 19 points and Rori Harmon dished out seven assists in Texas' 65-48 victory over Illinois, sending the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 with a 65-48 win over Illinois on Monday.
The Longhorns completed an undefeated season at Moody Center with a 17-0 record. Dating back to last season the Longhorns have won 24 straight in their home arena.
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer has guided Texas to the Sweet 16 in four of his five seasons at Texas and eight of the last nine seasons as a head coach.
Booker opened the scoring for Texas with a mid-range jump shot, sinking the first bucket of the game. Post-player Taylor Jones followed with a layup in the post, and guard Rori Harmon added a jumper to tie the game at 6-6. Booker then closed the first period with a post jumper, giving the Longhorns a 16-12 lead.
Heading into halftime, the Longhorns closed the final 6:21 on a 13-2 run while forcing 13 turnovers and holding Illinois to six points, making it their 24th quarter holding an opponent to single digits. Booker and Jones combined for 14 points, while forward Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda scored nine in the second quarter, giving the Longhorns a 34-18 lead.
Starting the second half, Mwenentanda made a driving layup to extend the Longhorn's lead 36-18. To finish the period, Booker sank a jumper giving her 10 points in the quarter and putting the Longhorns up 53-30.
During the final period, Mwenentanda sank a jumper at the 4:52 mark to surpass her career scoring record while shooting 70 percent from the field. Booker then hit the final two buckets of the game, securing Texas' victory over Illinois and sending the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 for the 19th time in program history.
Up next, the Longhorns will face Tennessee in The Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on March 29, 1:00 or 3:30 PM CT. This event will be televised on ABC.
Postgame Notes
• Texas improved to 33-3 on the season.
• Texas is 17-0 at Moody Center this season and 49-5 all-time at their home arena.
• The Longhorns are 16-2 when three or more players scored double-digits.
• Texas outrebounded their opponent 33-27.
• The Longhorns outscored Illinois in the paint 36-18.
• The Texas bench outscored Illinois 23-3.
• Texas forced 20 turnovers and scored 23 points off them.
• The Longhorns are 28-3 when forcing 15 or more turnovers.
• Texas only allowed 48 points scored on them, it's Illinois' lowest since Jan. 11, 2024.
• Madison Booker recorded her 29th double-digit game of the season.
• Booker scored her 14th game of the season with 20 or more points.
• Shay Holle played her final game at home for Texas. Holle has played in 168 games at Texas and has been part of 142 wins. Holle is the all-time winningest player in program history.
