Texas Longhorns Women Dominate UNC Tar Heels
The No. 2 Texas Longhorns (Women) rode another big wave tonight, defeating the No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels (Women) 79–64 in a physical, sometimes electric display at Moody Center. Coming in undefeated, Texas kept rolling. North Carolina hung tough early. But as the game unfolded, Texas’ depth and poise proved too much for the opponent.
Texas Longhorns Women Seize Control After a Shaky Start
North Carolina walked out of the first quarter with a 21-16 lead, thanks to an efficient and assertive start. Elina Aarnisalo hit six of her first seven shots, and the Tar Heels looked sharp offensively, connecting on 10-of-13 attempts despite five first-quarter turnovers.
But once Texas regained focus, it was clear: this was their night. The Texas Longhorns women punched back in the second quarter, outscoring UNC 23–10, and then poured it on in the third with a 24–15 run that blew the game open. By halftime, they had flipped the script, and the Tar Heels had no easy answer. It wasn’t a slow build; it was a statement.
Defensively, Texas tightened up, forcing UNC into fewer clean looks. Offensively, they shared the ball, executed their sets, and used their length. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Longhorns had turned a five-point quarter-one deficit into a 15-point victory.
Standout Performances Underscore Dominance
At the heart of the Longhorns women’s win was a trio of scorers. Jordan Lee led the way with 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting, showing a smooth rhythm and confidence all night. Madison Booker added 18 points and was active on the boards; her mid-range work and constant movement blurred the line between forward and guard.
And Kyla Oldacre chipped in 16 points, providing a spark with energy and strong inside-outside play. Her effort helped keep Texas balanced and dangerous when UNC tried to claw back. On the back end, senior Guard Rori Harmon, honored before tipoff for becoming the school’s all-time assists leader, ran the show as comfortably as ever. She finished with eight assists and steady leadership on both ends, a reminder that her impact goes far beyond the stat line.
For North Carolina, it was a mixed bag. Aarnisalo delivered 16 points. Indya Nivar scored 15, and Ciera Toomey snagged eight rebounds. But despite individual flashes, the Tar Heels couldn’t sustain it consistently enough to compete with Texas’ depth and composure.
What This Game Says About Texas—and What Lies Ahead
This win reaffirms that the Longhorns women are not just a good team; they might be the team to beat this season. They remain perfect, now 9-0, and have now beaten multiple ranked opponents in a span of days, proving that their nonconference strength isn’t a fluke.
The third quarter was the turning point. It showed they can absorb pressure, respond when behind, and then control the tempo when ahead. That ability to climb out of adversity and still execute speaks to maturity and confidence in this roster. North Carolina showed flashes of what they could be: quick ball movement, efficient shooting, and pockets of transition offense. But against elite talent and depth like Texas, flashes won’t do. They’ll need consistency if they want to hang with the nation’s best.
The Longhorns women now head into Sunday’s game riding high, but also with a target on their back. After knocking off South Carolina, UCLA, and now UNC, they’ve become the measuring stick for every other top team. For North Carolina, this is a tough loss but also a clarifying one. They’ve seen how good a top-tier opponent executes and how close they are to doing the same.
