Unranked Texas surprised No. 2 Kansas State with a 61-54 victory, making a statement in the intense competition in the Big 12 conference.
Texas Takes an Early Lead
From the start, Texas took charge of the game, leading 6-0 and maintaining that edge throughout, energizing the home crowd in Austin.
Expanding the Lead
Despite a brief moment of competitiveness when Kansas State narrowed the lead to 14-10 in the second quarter, Texas pushed forward to extend their advantage to 20-10. They kept a comfortable double-digit lead for the majority of the game, reaching a high of 41-22 in the third quarter.
Kansas State’s Comeback Attempt
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Wildcats staged a commendable comeback, closing the gap to 54-47 with a 10-0 run. However, Texas managed the clock efficiently, ensuring Kansas State never got closer than five points.
Standout Performances
Madison Booker, a freshman player, shined for Texas with 20 points, six assists, three rebounds, and a key steal. Taylor Jones, a senior, contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Aaliyah Moore, a junior forward, added 10 points and an impressive 15 rebounds.
Kansas State’s Efforts
Serena Sundell led Kansas State with 14 points and eight assists, while Eliza Maupin excelled off the bench with 18 points on a flawless 7-of-7 shooting performance. However, starters Gabby Gregory and Brylee Glenn struggled, failing to score on a combined 0-of-8 shooting.
Statistics Tell the Story
Texas showcased solid defense, holding Kansas State to 35.8% shooting from the field and a meager 14.3% from beyond the arc. The Longhorns also outrebounded the Wildcats 39-30 while shooting 41.4% themselves.
Conference Standing Shifts
The defeat pushed Kansas State to a 20-3 overall record and 9-2 in the Big 12, allowing Oklahoma to claim the top spot with a 9-1 conference record. In contrast, Texas improved to 21-3 overall and 8-3 in the Big 12, solidifying their position in the competitive conference.