In a classic Vic Schaefer-coached performance, Texas put TCU into a pressure cooker from the tip, forcing 27 turnovers in a convincing 70-50 victory.

Sophomore guard Rori Harmon sprung the Longhorns to an early lead with some impressive plays on defense. On the very first defensive possession of the game, Harmon blocked star forward Lucy Ibeh down low, getting the crowd pumped up. 

Over the course of the game, Harmon and graduate guard Shaylee Gonzales repeatedly got out in transition, converting defense to offense. Their fastbreak success was integral in keeping their wire-to-wire lead safe from any TCU attempts to claw back into the game.

“These two right here (Harmon and Gonzales) might be the two best I’ve ever had at (running the transition),” Schaefer said. “(If) you’re going to shoot long shots, they have long rebounds. And when that comes off, I have a point guard who’s probably the best rebounder on my team.”

As has been the case for the past two games, junior forward DeYona Gaston led the way in scoring with 16 points alongside Gonzales, asserting her presence from the midrange. Gaston provides a steady force in the middle for the Texas offense, as her efficiency inside the arc forces the defense to double and opens up more opportunities for her teammates.

“She was 7-for-11 (from the field), 2-for-2 from the line, had two steals and four assists. That’s a pretty efficient game for sure,” Schaefer said. “When you look at the efficiency of my team, she was second on my team with efficiency behind Shaylee (Gonzales), so I’m happy for her.”

One such teammate that benefited from Gaston’s impact was junior forward Taylor Jones, who has been hot and cold this season while dealing with injuries. Jones came into Saturday averaging a little over nine points a game, but her 15-point performance shows that she can be a great one-two punch in tandem with Gaston.

Despite the big win, as the game went on the Longhorns made one small mistake after the next, to the chagrin of Schaefer. While this game marks the seventh win in a row for Texas since its statement win in Waco against Baylor, Schaefer isn’t satisfied with just being a good team — he wants to be perfect in every aspect of the game.

“I was saying (against) Oklahoma with those back to back wins. … I thought man, they’re playing their guts out. I don’t know that I walk out of the arena tonight and say that,” Schaefer said. 

Schaefer’s team will need to rest up and buckle down, as they face a short turnaround on Monday in Ames, Iowa against No. 21 Iowa State to hold onto their slim lead in the Big 12.

“The standard is the standard. If we’re satisfied and think we can win a championship playing with that level (of effort), okay. I don’t,” Schaefer said. “I think we’ve got to be better and I think we’re going to have to play harder on Monday night.”