FORT MYERS, Fla. — In the opening round of the Gulf Coast Showcase women’s basketball tournament, Texas, ranked fifth, secured a decisive 90-50 victory against New Mexico State, bolstered by stellar performances from Madison Booker and Taylor Jones, who scored 21 and 20 points respectively.

Under the watchful eye of former Texas coach Jody Conradt, the Longhorns sparked a 12-0 run early in the game, establishing a commanding 19-8 lead. Texas continued to build momentum with a subsequent 9-0 run, complemented by a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Booker, which capped the first half with the Longhorns leading 41-25.

Known for forcing nearly 29 turnovers per game, Texas applied consistent pressure on defense throughout the match. Despite some success in dealing with the Longhorns’ aggressive style, New Mexico State struggled to effectively execute their half-court offense, resulting in Texas capitalizing on 25 turnovers by the Aggies, converting them into 37 points.

Although Texas was missing 6-foot-9 player Abbie Boutilier due to a stress fracture, New Mexico State faced challenges of their own, fielding only one starter above the 6-foot mark. Leading the charge for the Aggies was Molly Kaiser with 14 points, while Sylena Peterson contributed 11 points to the effort.

Key observations from the game include Texas’s depth compared to last year’s Elite Eight squad, with 11 players logging over 12 minutes on the court. For New Mexico State, strong performances from their guards demonstrate potential for success in Conference USA. Nevertheless, Kaiser, who has been averaging over 21 points per game, will need additional scoring support moving forward.

A pivotal moment in the game came when New Mexico State, trailing 38-20, managed to close the gap to 38-25 after forcing a turnover. However, they relinquished possession with 1.6 seconds remaining in the half, allowing Booker to sink her three-pointer just before the horn, restoring Texas’s lead to 16 points.

Another standout feature of the game was Jones’s performance, as she scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half, hitting seven of her eight attempts and draining four free throws. Additionally, she secured five offensive rebounds, contributing significantly to Texas’s dominant display.

Looking ahead, Texas is set to face Butler in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Showcase, while New Mexico State will compete against Santa Clara.