Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (03/19/2026) — The Texas Longhorns asserted their dominance from the opening tip, dismantling the Missouri State Lady Bears in an 87-45 wire-to-wire victory Thursday night at the Moody Center. In a game that was never in doubt, Texas established control early and never relinquished it, showcasing a potent offense and a suffocating defense in front of 7,938 fans.
How It Happened
Texas left no room for drama, scoring the game's first 12 points to seize immediate control. The onslaught began just 14 seconds into the contest when forward Justice Carlton converted a tip-in layup. The Longhorns' defense stifled Missouri State, and their offense capitalized. The initial 12-0 run was punctuated at the 6:00 mark of the first quarter by a 26-foot three-pointer from Missouri State's Kaemyn Bekemeier, but the damage was already done. By the end of the opening frame, Texas held a commanding 19-4 lead after a pair of free throws from Maiesha Washington.
The second quarter was a continuation of the first. Madison Booker, a key offensive force for the Longhorns, drained a 25-foot three-pointer assisted by Rori Harmon to push the lead to 26-4. Harmon followed with her own deep three just over two minutes later, extending the margin to 32-7. The highlight of the half came with 4:25 remaining when Justice Carlton found Kyla Oldacre for a thunderous alley-oop dunk, electrifying the home crowd and pushing the score to 36-10. A driving layup by Bryanna Preston at the buzzer sent Texas into the locker room with an insurmountable 44-12 advantage.
Any hopes of a Missouri State comeback were quickly extinguished in the second half. Jordan Lee opened the third quarter with a 19-foot pullup jump shot, and the Longhorns continued to execute with precision. The Lady Bears struggled to generate consistent offense against the size and speed of Texas. A layup by Lainie Douglas as the third-quarter clock expired gave the Longhorns a 67-34 lead, setting the stage for a final quarter of formalities.
The fourth quarter saw Texas cruise to the finish line. Booker added a 16-foot jumper to make it 71-34, and contributions from across the roster padded the final score. A late three-pointer from Angel Scott and a turnaround jumper by Sarah Graves capped the scoring, finalizing the decisive 87-45 outcome.
Turning Point
This game was decided in the opening minutes. The Longhorns' game-opening 12-0 run set a tone that the Missouri State Lady Bears could never match. Starting with Justice Carlton's immediate score and featuring relentless defensive pressure, Texas established a double-digit lead before Missouri State could find its footing. The game featured zero lead changes and was never tied, making the first four minutes of play the definitive turning point that sealed the contest.
Star of the Game
While multiple players contributed to the dominant performance, guard Madison Booker was a consistent offensive engine for the Texas Longhorns. She showcased her versatile scoring ability throughout the game, hitting a free throw early in the second quarter before stretching the defense with a 25-foot three-pointer that ballooned the lead to 22 points. She added a mid-range jumper in the fourth quarter, demonstrating her ability to score at all three levels. Her timely baskets were instrumental in breaking the game open and ensuring Texas maintained its massive lead.
What It Means
For the Texas Longhorns, this was a statement performance. They were ruthlessly efficient on offense, shooting 50% from the field, and completely dominant on the glass, outrebounding the Lady Bears with 49 total boards. The victory showcases the depth and firepower the Longhorns possess as they move forward. The balanced attack, with numerous players contributing key baskets, is a positive sign for a team with high aspirations.
For the Missouri State Lady Bears, the loss marks a difficult end to a competitive matchup. They were overwhelmed by the talent and execution of Texas from the start and were unable to find an offensive rhythm. The game serves as a stark reminder of the level of play required to compete with the SEC's elite.