AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns showcased a commanding performance against La Salle, claiming a decisive victory with a score of 111-49 on Tuesday evening. Backup center Kyla Oldacre was a standout player, contributing 18 points along with nine rebounds, leading a team that saw six players score in double figures.
Starting center Taylor Jones made a significant impact as well, registering a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, including seven offensive boards, all within just 14 minutes of play. Freshman Justice Carlton added to the scoring efforts with 17 points, further illustrating the depth of Texas’ roster.
For La Salle, Ivy Fox and Aryss Macktoon each managed to score seven points, but the team struggled significantly with their shooting, managing just 26% from the field and hitting only 4 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc. The Explorers also faced difficulty with ball control, committing 26 turnovers in the face of Texas’s intense defensive pressure.
Texas capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 38 points off La Salle’s turnovers, which included 19 steals. Rori Harmon and Carlton each led the charge with four steals apiece. The Longhorns notably outscored the Explorers 24-0 in fast-break points, demonstrating their ability to convert defensive stops into offensive opportunities.
In terms of game flow, La Salle found themselves trailing only by a margin of 19-12 at the end of the first quarter. However, their performance took a downturn in the second quarter, where they managed only two field goals and suffered from 10 turnovers, leading to a stark 38-9 scoring deficit in that quarter alone.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer’s strategy became evident after an initially sluggish start. In an effort to energize the team, he pulled three starters, including preseason All-American Madison Booker, less than three minutes into the game. Despite this early shake-up, Booker went on to score 10 points in 17 minutes of play.
A key moment in the game occurred during the second quarter when Texas rattled off the first 13 points, with Oldacre contributing seven of those through three layups and a free throw. Standing at 6-foot-6, Oldacre had a notable height advantage over her opponents, which the Longhorns exploited throughout the game.
Furthermore, the height advantage was a focal point of Schaefer’s game plan, leading to an impressive 70-14 differential in points scored in the paint, with 28 of those coming during the critical second quarter.
Looking ahead, La Salle will seek to rebound as they are set to face Northern Kentucky on Friday in La Jolla, California, while Texas will host South Dakota State on Sunday, aiming to maintain their momentum following this significant victory.