Texas Season Ends in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament

The Texas Women’s Basketball season ended in the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

The Longhorns lost 77-66 to Stanford in a Sweet 16 matchup. The #2 Cardinal also beat #3 Texas in the first game of the season back in November. This was not the book-end the Horns were looking for as they ended their season 25-9.

It was also a sad end to the Longhorns’ NCAA Tournament run after coming up short of their goal to make the Final Four in Dallas. We’ll also never see a potential rubber match between Texas and Baylor this season. [ Full Box Score ]

Texas Basketball Looked Good at Halftime

Texas took a 7-point lead into halftime, thanks to a great second quarter where they scored 19 points to Stanford’s 11.

The Horns were up 36-29 after outshooting and outplaying Stanford. At halftime:

• Texas was shooting 44.1% to Stanford’s 39.4%
• Texas had 11 assists to only 1 turnover
• The Horns made one more three-pointer and two more free throws

The Horns were also very balanced with contributions from virtually everyone on the roster – points, assists, and rebounds.

But, the game flipped in the third quarter.

Stanford Outplays Texas in Third Quarter

The first possession of the quarter dictated the rest of the game.

Stanford missed their first shot, but they grabbed an offensive rebound and Karlie Samuelson made a three-pointer and was fouled.

Samuelson missed the foul shot, but Stanford grabbed another offensive rebound and Brittany McPhee made a three-pointer. Texas had not even seen the ball and their lead went from 7 to 1 on the first Stanford possession after halftime.

Texas was able to hold onto the lead until Karlie Samuelson made another three at the 3:00 mark. Samuelson followed with another long-range shot moments later.

By the end of the quarter, Stanford had a five-point lead after scoring 25 points in the frame.

Unfortunately, Texas only scored 30 points in the entire second half…

Texas Unable To Get Offense Going

The Longhorns never got going offensively in the second half. Big 12 Player of the Year Brooke McCarty looked uncomfortable and had a disappointing final line.

McCarty only scored 8 points on 4-14 shooting. Despite being Texas’ best outside shooter, Brooke did not attempt a three until the final minute of the game. McCarty did end up with 7 assists and 6 rebounds, but her outside shooting was missing.

Meanwhile, Big 12 Freshman of the Year Joyner Holmes had a solid game in her first Sweet 16 appearance. Holmes scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, but she had 3 of Texas’ 9 total turnovers.

As for the seniors, Kelsey Lang grabbed 12 rebounds in her last game in a Longhorns uniform. Also, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Brianna Taylor finished her career with 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 0 steals.

For Big 12 Coach of the Year Karen Aston, it was a frustrating way to end the season. So much promise with a 19-game winning streak, all kinds of Big 12 records set, and finally beating Baylor.

But, the Horns sputtered at the end of Big 12 play, escaped North Carolina State last Sunday to make the Sweet 16, and could not put it together in the second half against Stanford.

Next: Here's All The Streaks Texas Broke vs. Baylor in Waco

Texas still has a few more mountains to climb before they can become a Big 12 Superpower like Baylor and return to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Perhaps next year with Joyner Holmes a sophomore and Brooke McCarty a senior.