After back-to-back competitive road losses to LSU and South Carolina, Texas women’s basketball needed a rejuvenating performance in the midst of a battering Southeastern Conference schedule.
Through their return to home court on Sunday afternoon, the Longhorns got that performance in the form of a defensively earned 80-35 win against the Texas A&M Aggies, marking their 37th straight victory at Moody Center.
Heading into the Lone Star Showdown, the Aggies averaged 67.3 points per game over their first 13 contests. But the Longhorns held head coach Vic Schaefer’s alma mater to just over half of that total and to 17.2% field goal shooting.
A five-second inbounding violation during the opening possession and a 10-second backcourt call forced by graduate point guard Rori Harmon set early tone setters for Texas’ defensive intensity, which ultimately forced 25 turnovers that converted into 25 points. But it was the second half that solidified the Longhorns’ narrative for the afternoon, with Texas outscoring the Aggies 46-11 in the final 20 minutes behind relentless pressure and continuous on-the-run moments.
“A lot of (Texas’) points in the third and fourth quarter came in transition, whereas in the first half, we were able to stop them and force them into a half court game. And when you let them get out and run, they’re really elite,” said Texas A&M head coach Joni Taylor postgame.
Texas’ half-court struggles, especially in the first half, were exacerbated in the game by horrid perimeter shooting. The Longhorns had to wait until the final minute of the fourth quarter for their first make from beyond the arc, and finished at a shocking 5.6% from three-point range.
Postgame, Schaefer didn’t seem too concerned about the shots not going down, but did emphasize turnovers, toughness and rebounding as areas in continued need of addressing.
Still, his team gained a noticeable boost in the return of freshman guard Aaliyah Crump, who made her first appearance since Nov. 19 due to a foot injury. She credited her teammates with making the transition back onto the court so smooth.
“They instill so much confidence in me, so when my number got called and I went out on that court, I just played free and I played like myself,” Crump said postgame. “I put in the work leading up to this moment, so I knew that I was ready. But I would say all thanks just goes to my teammates because their confidence in me just really allows me to be my best self on the court.”
After missing 15 straight games, Crump led Texas in scoring with 12 points in 21 minutes, also contributing six rebounds, four assists and two steals. The importance of Crump’s return comes as no secret to Schaefer.
“There’s kids that’d be going, ‘Eh, I’m done, Coach, I’ll just redshirt. I know you need me, but I’m just going to redshirt and not do it,’” Schaefer said postgame. “Never entered her mind. She’s all in for this team. She wants to play, she wants to be a part of this team. And I just think that speaks so much to her character and who she is, what she’s about, and we desperately need her.”
Schaefer indicated that with his star freshman back in the mix, he will get the chance to put forth what he says analytically is his best group: the “four-guard lineup” that includes Crump, sophomore Jordan Lee, junior Madison Booker and graduate Rori Harmon.
His next chance to employ that lineup will come on Jan. 25, when the Longhorns head to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Schaefer expects to give his team a chance to rest over the next couple of days following a stretch that saw many key pieces play heavy minutes.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated Texas women’s basketball’s number of consecutive victories. The story has been changed here to reflect the accurate information. The Texan regrets this error.
