Texas Women's Hoops Moves On, Handles Illinois in March Madness Showdown
Danny Jefferson | March 24th, 2025
AUSTIN, TX — Texas did exactly what a top seed is expected to do in front of their home crowd. On Saturday night, they took care of business and punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a convincing 65-48 win over Illinois in the NCAA Women’s Tournament. The Moody Center was rocking as the Longhorns put on a defensive clinic, showing exactly why they’re one of the tournament’s top contenders.
The first half started with both teams trading baskets early, but once Texas settled in, their pressure started to take over. Madison Booker got the Longhorns on the board early, and Taylor Jones added some strong post presence. As the first quarter ended 16-12 in Texas’ favor, it was clear they were just warming up. The second quarter saw Texas clamp down hard on defense—Illinois could only manage six points in the entire quarter. The Longhorns ended the half on a 13-2 run and led by double digits heading into the break.
Texas’ defensive intensity was the story of the night. The Longhorns forced 20 Illinois turnovers, capitalizing on the mistakes to create transition scoring opportunities. Their ability to disrupt Illinois’ offense kept the Illini off balance throughout the game. Rori Harmon’s defense was particularly impactful, as she consistently pressured ball handlers and generated multiple steals, energizing the crowd and teammates alike.
Coming out of halftime, the Longhorns didn’t let up. Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda came off the bench with a spark, scoring a career-high 19 points and hitting big shots that pushed the game out of reach. Her efficient shooting gave Texas a reliable scoring option beyond their starters. Booker continued her strong tournament with 20 points, consistently attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Harmon also controlled the tempo, dishing out seven assists and providing steady leadership.
On the offensive end, Texas showed great balance and patience. They didn’t rush shots but instead worked the ball around to find high-percentage looks. Their dominance in the paint was evident, outscoring Illinois 36-18 inside, which translated into second-chance points and crucial rebounds. The Longhorns’ bench contributed significantly, outscoring the Illini bench 23-3, giving Texas a critical edge in energy and depth.
Illinois struggled to find consistent offense and was held to just 38.1 percent shooting. Their best opportunities were stifled by Texas’ active hands and smart rotations. Even when Illinois made runs, Texas answered with key baskets to maintain control. The home crowd's energy fed into the Longhorns' composure down the stretch, helping them close out the game without letting momentum shift.
The victory improves Texas’ record to 33-3 overall and extends their undefeated streak at the Moody Center to 17-0 this season. Next up for the Longhorns is a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 5 Tennessee, where the stakes will be higher and the competition stiffer. Illinois finishes their season at 22-10, a strong campaign highlighted by resilience, even if it ended sooner than they hoped.