Bryanna Preston and Jordan Lee shine for the Longhorns in first-ever Sweet 16

True freshmen Bryanna Preston and Jordan Lee had career games as the Texas Longhorns defeated the Tennessee Volunteers to move on to the Elite Eight.
Bryanna Preston, Tennessee v Texas
Bryanna Preston, Tennessee v Texas | Sarah Stier/GettyImages

What a time to shine. As the Texas women's basketball team battled down to the wire against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16, true freshmen came up big for the Longhorns.

Bryanna Preston and Jordan Lee, a pair of first-year players on the Texas roster, had career games as the Horns earned their spot in the Elite Eight over the Vols. Both put up double-digit scores and provided big-time plays when it mattered most to help push Texas to the win.

Jordan Lee vs. Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16

  • 13 points
  • 3 rebounds
  • 1 assist
  • 1 steal

Lee became a starter during the regular season but came off the bench in this postseason matchup after head coach Vic Schaefer rewarded Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda with the start for her performance in the Round of 32.

However, Lee's performance in the Sweet 16 most likely earned her that starting job back as she brought the kind of defensive presence and offensive momentum that Schaefer looks for.

Bryanna Preston vs. Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16

  • 12 points
  • 4 assists
  • 3 rebounds
  • 3 steals

Almost everyone knew that Preston was going to be a star for the Longhorns, but they didn't know just how good or just how quickly she would get. In her first-ever Sweet 16 game, she was a menace on the defensive end of the court and continuously created plays for Texas on the offensive end.

Preston is going to be a critical part of the Longhorns' lineup for the rest of the postseason, especially as they face TCU in the Elite Eight, and for years to come.

The Texas Longhorns and the TCU Horned Frogs are scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. CT on Monday, March 31. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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