AUSTIN, Texas — In a commanding season opener, No. 4 Texas triumphed with a decisive 119-47 win over Southeast Missouri on Sunday, showcasing the impressive performances of newcomer Kyla Oldacre and returning point guard Rori Harmon. Oldacre, who transferred from Miami, recorded exceptional numbers of 21 points and 14 rebounds within just 17 minutes of play, efficiently converting 8 of her 12 field-goal attempts.
Harmon, who had been sidelined for the entire previous season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament, made a triumphant return, contributing 10 points and seven assists in 20 minutes of action. Her comeback is a significant boost to the Longhorns.
In addition to Oldacre and Harmon, Texas saw strong showings from Madison Booker and starting center Taylor Jones, both of whom scored 18 points. Booker, recognized as a sophomore preseason All-American, also grabbed 11 rebounds and facilitated six assists. Meanwhile, Jones, a senior standing at 6 feet 4 inches, not only scored flawlessly, making all eight of her shots, but also set a career-high with five steals during her 19 minutes on the court.
Southeast Missouri struggled offensively, with Skylar Barnes leading the Redhawks with 11 points. The team shot a mere 29.5% from the field and faced difficulties, committing 33 turnovers throughout the game.
Analyzing the Redhawks, it was evident that they lacked the necessary size to contend against Texas, especially since their tallest players are listed at only 6 feet 1 inch. In contrast, Texas displayed excellent teamwork, recording 27 assists on 48 baskets and demonstrating depth in their guard rotation, featuring players like Harmon, Booker, and Leila Phelia.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred early on, as Texas quickly established a lead, completing a 15-2 run in the first quarter and closing the period with a 34-15 advantage. During this quarter, Jones was particularly dominant, scoring 12 points on perfect shooting. Texas maintained their momentum, ending the first half with a commanding 66-29 lead, with Oldacre adding 10 points in the second quarter.
A standout statistic from the matchup was Texas’s significant dominance in the paint, outscoring Southeast Missouri 86-18 in that area.
Looking ahead, Southeast Missouri will face Evansville on Thursday, while Texas is set to host Lamar on Wednesday.