Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (11/06/2026) — The Texas Longhorns opened their 2026 women's basketball season with a commanding 91-29 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears at Moody Center on Friday night, delivering a performance built on relentless defense, efficient shooting, and a balanced offensive attack anchored by Madison Booker's 30-point effort.
How It Happened
Texas never permitted Northern Colorado a foothold. Bryanna Preston opened the scoring with a driving layup at the 9:14 mark of the first quarter, and the Longhorns built their advantage in waves. Madison Booker buried a 25-foot three-pointer to push the lead to 8-2 at the 6:12 mark, then shifted into orchestrator mode as Jayda Clark drilled back-to-back triples — both assisted by Booker — at 3:44 and 3:06 to extend Texas's advantage to 17-4. Brihanna Crittendon capped the quarter with a 10-foot floating jumper off a Preston assist, sending the Longhorns into the second period with a 23-6 lead.
The second quarter is where Texas truly separated. Crittendon opened with a layup off a Booker assist to make it 25-6, and the Longhorns poured in a decisive 14-0 run that stretched the margin from 21-6 to 33-8. Breya Cunningham capped the half with a layup off a Zya Vann assist in the final seconds, sending Texas into the locker room with a 49-9 advantage.
The Longhorns continued to execute in the second half. Booker added a layup, a pair of free throws, and a 25-foot step-back three in the third quarter, while Crittendon's turnaround jumper with 22 seconds remaining pushed the margin to 72-18 entering the fourth. Addison Bjorn, Booker, and Preston each connected in the fourth quarter, and Grace Prenter finished the scoring with a driving layup at the 0:59 mark to seal the final count at 91-29.
Turning Point
The 14-0 run bridging the first and second quarters — expanding the lead from 21-6 to 33-8 — ended any realistic Northern Colorado comeback scenario before it could form. The Bears finished the game shooting just 32% from the field and 13% from three-point range while committing a staggering 32 turnovers against Texas's eight. That 24-turnover differential proved the decisive factor, as the Longhorns converted Northern Colorado mistakes into transition opportunities with consistent efficiency throughout all four periods.
Star of the Game
Madison Booker was the engine of the Texas offense, finishing with 30 points, three rebounds, and six assists. She operated as both scorer and facilitator — burying a first-quarter three, feeding Clark for back-to-back triples, threading the pass to Crittendon in transition, and punctuating the third quarter with a step-back three that pushed the lead past 60. Booker's versatility made her impossible to gameplan against, and her six assists illustrated the strain she placed on Northern Colorado's defense every time she touched the ball.
Crittendon added 11 points on efficient shooting, Bjorn contributed 13 points including a smooth 18-foot jumper to open the fourth quarter, and Cunningham posted 10 points alongside six rebounds. Four Longhorns reaching double figures underscored how thoroughly Texas distributed its offensive production across the roster.
What It Means
For Texas, the victory delivers a sharp early-season statement. Shooting 56% from the floor, generating 18 assists against just eight turnovers, and outrebounding Northern Colorado 30-26 reflects a team playing purposeful, connected basketball. The depth on display — Booker's individual brilliance complemented by double-digit contributions from Crittendon, Bjorn, and Cunningham — points to a roster with genuine offensive range heading into a demanding schedule.
Northern Colorado faces the work of addressing a 32-turnover night as the season gets underway. The Bears generated only five assists and struggled to sustain offensive sequences against a Texas defense that was disruptive from the opening tip. Mia Galbraith led Northern Colorado with seven points and four rebounds, and Neenah George contributed three assists, but the Bears found little traction in any quarter. The 9,306 fans packed into Moody Center witnessed a Texas team focused on making its season-opening intent clear.
