AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 1 Texas outscored Georgia 17-2 over the final 6:18 to run away with a 57-26 win Monday in Southeastern Conference women’s basketball action at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia.
Taylor Jones ruled the paint for Texas with 17 points and 16 rebounds, nine on the offensive end, to help the Longhorns surge after struggling to score in the first half. Texas shot 29% over the opening two quarters yet still led 20-16 at halftime thanks to stout defense, holding the Bulldogs to six made field goals.
“Our defense was elite tonight,” Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer said. “We always talk about our defense traveling, and we were just really special tonight. I’m proud of how we played defense.”
Jones had two points in the first half before flourishing in the second half, scoring 15 on 6-for-10 shooting. Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda chipped in eight second-half points to finish with 10 for the game. Rori Harmon hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points to help offset an uncharacteristic shooting night from Madison Booker. She scored seven points on 3-for-11 from the field.
It wasn’t the best night offensively for the Longhorns, but the biggest reason they’re the country’s top-ranked team is because of their defense. Texas held Georgia scoreless over the final 4:13 and held the Bulldogs to 36 field goal attempts, well below their average of almost 60 shots per game. Georgia scored 11 points in the second quarter, but that was the only frame they put up double figures. The Bulldogs were outscored 23-4 in the fourth quarter.
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Texas forward Justice Carlton (11) fights for position during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Texas forward Kyla Oldacre), center, attempts to make a basket against Georgia forwards Fatima Diakhate, left, and Miyah Verse (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia guard De’Mauri Flournoy, right, attempts to pass the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Texas guard Rori Harmon, right, looks to pass the ball against Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk goes for the basket against Texas forward Taylor Jones (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia guard Asia Avinger (1) dribbles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia forward Fatima Diakhate (21) attempts a basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia guard Asia Avinger dribbles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk, left, guards the ball against Texas forward Taylor Jones (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia guard Asia Avinger (1) drives the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Georgia guard Trinity Turner drives the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) -
Texas guard Rori Harmon (3) drives the ball against Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)
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Texas hadn’t played since a Feb. 16 win over Louisiana State, so perhaps there was a tiny bit of rust the Longhorns had to knock off. When the new Associated Press Top 25 came out earlier in the day and the Longhorns were at the top, Schaefer said there’s always a possibility for a letdown after receiving such an honor.
“I’m always coaching against a ghost and prepared for things like this, so I knew it was a possibility,” he said. “You can’t lose a gasket and you have to stay in the moment. We really responded in the second half.”
Georgia didn’t have a player score in double figures. De’Mauri Flournoy had nine points on 4-for-8 from the field.
Texas outrebounded the Bulldogs 40-23 including 23-9 on the offensive end for a 23-4 advantage in second-chance points. Texas forced 25 turnovers to score 30 points and the Longhorns scored 32 points in the paint to Georgia’s 12.
Texas (27-2, 13-1 SEC) plays at Mississippi State on Thursday and then closes the regular season Sunday at home against Florida. Georgia (10-18, 2-12) hosts Auburn on Thursday.
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