NEWARK, N.J. — In an impressive display, Madison Booker scored a remarkable 28 points, leading the seventh-ranked Texas Longhorns to a commanding 89-51 victory over the eighth-ranked Maryland Terrapins in the first-ever Coretta Scott King Classic held on Monday.
This event also featured a matchup between the top-ranked UCLA Bruins and 25th-ranked Baylor, with the Bruins securing a 72-57 win. The doubleheader was crafted to pay tribute to the legacy of Coretta Scott King and to highlight female empowerment in the realm of sports. Notably, this occasion marks the first instance where the names of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King have been officially licensed for a sporting event.
Texas (now 18-2) dominated the game from the outset, driven by Booker’s stellar performance. The preseason All-American scored 13 points in the first quarter alone, propelling the Longhorns to a significant 28-12 lead by the end of the first period. By halftime, Texas had expanded its lead to 48-18, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity. In the second half, Maryland (16-2) was unable to mount any serious challenge.
Kaylene Smikle was the leading scorer for the Terrapins, contributing 15 points, notably achieving 11 successful free throws out of 12 attempts. Leading up to the game, Maryland also reported the unfortunate news that reserve guard Bri McDaniel would miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL sustained during last week’s game against Minnesota. Additionally, the team lost standout guard Shyanne Sellers to a knee injury in the second quarter after an unfortunate collision with another player. Although she briefly returned, she was eventually sidelined for the remainder of the match.
Key observations from the game highlighted Texas’s status as one of the elite teams in the nation, driven by Booker’s dominant performance. The Longhorns will have several weeks to prepare for their upcoming rematch against second-ranked South Carolina, a team that recently defeated them by a margin of 17 points.
Meanwhile, Maryland has a challenging schedule ahead. They are set to face No. 12 Ohio State before hosting top-ranked UCLA on Sunday. To succeed in those games, they must avoid the poor start they experienced against Texas.
A crucial moment in the matchup occurred when Texas was narrowly ahead at 6-5 before embarking on a game-changing surge, scoring 13 consecutive points, with Booker contributing an impressive seven points during that stretch.
In terms of key statistics, Texas made 37 field goals throughout the game, which was an impressive tally considering that Maryland attempted just five more shots overall. The Terrapins also struggled with ball control, committing 27 turnovers.
Looking ahead, Texas will play host to 17th-ranked Tennessee on Thursday, while Maryland will travel to challenge the 12th-ranked Ohio State on the same night.