In a highly anticipated rematch, the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Lady Vols face off again, this time with much more at stake than in their regular-season meeting in January. Back then, Texas held on to a slim 80-76 victory in Austin, Texas, after a thrilling, back-and-forth contest. Jenna Burdette had stepped in as Tennessee’s acting head coach for that game, which saw Texas finish the first half strong with a 13-2 run, taking a five-point lead into the break.
- Tennessee refused to go down without a fight. The Lady Vols mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, tying the game with just over three minutes remaining. With crucial free throws from Jillian Hollingshead, Tennessee briefly took the lead, but Texas responded immediately with a basket to even the score. The drama intensified after a Tennessee turnover allowed Texas to race down the floor for a fast-break layup, regaining the lead.
In a tense finale, Ruby Whitehorn kept Tennessee in the hunt, knocking down two free throws to tie the game once more. Yet, Texas found another way to edge ahead. Despite a last-ditch 3-pointer attempt from Zee Spearman, the shot failed to land, and Texas managed to close out the game by successfully inbounding the ball and forcing an intentional foul.
Rebounding had been a key issue for Tennessee in that game, as Texas out-rebounded them by 15, something the Lady Vols were determined not to repeat in their next encounter. Head coach Kellie Harper made it clear that the focus was now on preparation, with Tennessee entering the NCAA Tournament with fresh determination.
The Lady Vols kicked off their tournament run with an explosive 101-66 win over South Florida, showcasing their fast-paced ball movement and relentless offense. A tough test came next against Ohio State, as Tennessee found themselves down by 11 early. However, they mounted a comeback, sparked by a 14-0 run in the second half that gave them a 17-point lead. Ohio State fought back hard, but Tennessee’s poise under pressure helped them seal a 15-point victory.
Meanwhile, Texas also rolled into the tournament, benefiting from their No. 1 seed and home-court advantage. They kicked things off with a 105-61 blowout against William & Mary and followed it up with a 65-48 win over Illinois, powered by Madison Booker’s 20 points and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s 19. With both teams in top form, their next meeting promises to be a thrilling showdown in the NCAA Tournament.
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