Home Lifestyle Texas Dominates South Dakota State 103-57 with Strong Defense, Ranked No. 6

Texas Dominates South Dakota State 103-57 with Strong Defense, Ranked No. 6

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AUSTIN, Texas — In an impressive performance, freshman Justice Carlton scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the No. 6 Texas team dominated South Dakota State with a final score of 103-57 on Sunday.

Carlton showcased his skills by shooting 8 for 12 from the field during 25 minutes of play as a substitute. Also contributing significantly for Texas (12-1) were Taylor Jones, who recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, alongside Rori Harmon, who added 13 points, seven assists, and six steals.

Another freshman, Jordan Lee, made her second start of the season for Texas, scoring 14 points. For South Dakota State (10-3), Brooklyn Meyer led the team with 13 points in only 18 minutes due to foul troubles, while Emilee Fox chipped in with 11 points.

Texas gained control of the game during a formidable 19-2 streak that spanned the first and second quarters, leaving South Dakota State scoreless for over six minutes.

**Takeaways**
Despite their rough appearance in this game, South Dakota State is enjoying a strong season overall. They have notable victories against ranked teams like Oregon and Creighton, while their narrow loss to No. 9 Duke came by just four points.

On the Texas side, Laila Phelia missed her third consecutive game as she continues to recover from a detached retina sustained before the season began, according to coach Vic Schaefer. Phelia had previously made a mark as an all-Big Ten guard for Michigan last year and has participated in eight games this season, giving her the option to apply for a medical redshirt.

**Key Moment**
The standout 19-2 run during the first half by Texas featured nine points collectively from freshmen Lee, Carlton, and Bryanna Preston.

**Key Stat**
South Dakota State typically averages 13 turnovers per game; however, Texas opponents give up an average of 25. In this matchup, Texas capitalized on this trend by forcing 21 turnovers, which converted into 31 points for the Longhorns.

**Up Next**
South Dakota State will take on Oral Roberts on January 2, while Texas is set to host Texas-Rio Grande Valley on December 29.