The now 7–0 Texas Longhorns completed the Paradise Jam Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands over Thanksgiving week, winning three games in three days.
“(I’m) super proud of our kids,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. “They’ve had three great days. I’m really impressed with their focus and they have played their guts out on defense here. They have really guarded and they’ve made some folks really uncomfortable.”
The team kicked off the Paradise Jam by beating Arizona State 84-42 on Thanksgiving Day. Senior forward Khadija Faye led the Longhorns with 15 points and seven rebounds and junior point guard Rori Harmon was not far behind with 14 points.
Harmon tallied seven assists over the Sun Devils and moved up to eighth place in Texas’ all-time list for career assists with 447.
Texas forced Arizona State into 27 turnovers and held a 24-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
“It wasn’t too often that there was a deflection,” Harmon said about the team’s lack of turnovers. “I don’t need to make a hero pass, just understanding they need the ball when they need the ball and seeing the ball on the inside and shooting.”
In the second game against High Point, Texas scored the first 32 points of the game, holding the opponents from scoring until the 10-second mark of the opening quarter.
Leading 35-2 at the start of the second quarter, junior forward Aaliyah Moore returned to action after being out for 348 days with an ACL injury.
“I don’t even have the words,” Moore said. “I’m so thankful for everyone, my support system. This was my first time back on the court in what felt like forever and I’m so grateful. I have so many emotions.”
Moore started the second quarter and scored six straight points for Texas.
“I’m very happy that (Moore) is back and playing,” Harmon said. “It’s like she’s another heartbeat for the team.”
Moore was one of six Longhorns to score in the double digits with 13 points in her season debut. She was the second-highest scorer in the game behind graduate guard Shaylee Gonzales, who had 15. This was Gonzales’ fourth consecutive time scoring in double figures.
Against South Florida, the Longhorns showed intense defensive pressure while displaying efficiency on offense.
One of the most anticipated pairings coming into this season was Harmon and freshman forward Madison Booker.
Harmon scored 15 points and Booker accounted for 12 points. Both shot 50% from the field and had their best-scoring performances of the tournament. With the addition of Booker, Schaefer now has two special scorers on the team.
“Those kids are different players, they can go get you a bucket when things break down,” Schaefer said. “They’re hunting their shots, and they both have a green light from me.”
Booker continues to show a steady increase in confidence in shooting and handling the ball. Harmon continues to be the best player on the court, and Schaefer knows they complement each other well.
“Madison is going to create points for Rori, just like Rori creates for everybody else and I think that we’ve got a really unique group,” Schaefer said.
Texas will host Oral Roberts at the Moody Center on Wednesday, ahead of its biggest challenge of the season so far on Sunday against Connecticut.
