Texas Women's Basketball: Takeaways from upset win over No. 2 K-State
By Brian Sweet
Texas Women's Basketball hosted the No. 2 Kansas State Wildcats at the Moody Center Sunday afternoon. This was another game that the Longhorns wanted to win after losing to them on the road earlier this season.
Forwards Madison Booker and Taylor Jones combined for 33 points in the 61-54 win over the Wildcats. This was the best defensive effort during conference play this season so far. They held the Wildcats to the lowest amount of points scored this season.
Let's examine the three takeaways from the win over the Wildcats this afternoon.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. Kansas State Wildcats: 3. Longhorns' first-half perimeter defense
The Longhorns' first-half perimeter defense suffocated the Wildcats from beyond the arc. The Wildcats only made one three-pointer in the first half against the Longhorns. That's pretty impressive, considering the Wildcats are the second-best team in the nation.
Anytime you can hold an excellent team like that to only one three-pointer in the first half, it is a win. Schaefer was happy with that at halftime. The Wildcats hit their second three-pointer in the game with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. Kansas State Wildcats: 2. Second-half start
Another reason why the Longhorns upset the Wildcats this afternoon was due to the second-half start they had. The Longhorns built their lead up to 18 before the Wildcats called a timeout in the third quarter.
The big lead was crucial because the Wildcats roared back in the fourth quarter and made it a game. Women's Basketball games in the Big 12 have been close due to the talent level this season. It might be something the Longhorns need to work on before the Big 12 Tournament.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. Kansas State Wildcats: 1. Holding the Wildcats to their lowest amount of points scored this season
This is another takeaway that Schaefer is celebrating after the upset. The Longhorns held the Wildcats to the lowest amount of points scored this season. This is a testament to the style of defense that Schaefer is known for.
The win over Kansas State today shows how scary the Longhorns will be when March Madness happens. The Longhorns have the rest of the week off before they travel to Fort Worth next Saturday to take on the TCU Horned Frogs.