Texas Triumphs Over Kentucky
In a closely contested matchup, No. 4 Texas triumphed over No. 18 Kentucky with a final score of 64-53 on Monday night, thanks to a standout performance from Justice Carlton, who contributed 17 points. This victory marks the Longhorns’ 40th consecutive win on home turf, the longest active streak in college basketball, and improves their record against ranked teams to 9-2 this season, with an overall mark of 23-2 and 8-2 in the SEC.
Game Highlights
The game saw Texas leading comfortably at one point by 14 points early in the third quarter. However, Kentucky put up a strong fight and narrowed the gap to just a single point after Clara Strack scored with 6:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. In response, the Longhorns tightened their grip on the game, with Kyla Oldacre hitting four crucial free throws and Carlton nailing a three-pointer to widen the lead to 56-50.
In the closing moments, Texas clinched their victory by making six consecutive free throws within the final 1:25. Jordan Lee was another key player for the Longhorns, scoring 13 points, while the rest of the team struggled offensively, particularly in the second half, where they shot just 27% from the field.
Kentucky’s Efforts
Kentucky, despite falling to 18-7 overall and 5-6 in conference play, had a solid effort led by Asia Boone, who scored 16 points, and Strack with 14 points. However, the Wildcats’ fortunes were hampered by their shooting woes, converting only 39% of their attempts and committing a staggering 23 turnovers, a season-high for the team.
First Half Dominance
The game also reflected Texas’s strength in the first half, where they concluded on a 10-0 run, leading 38-28 at halftime. Kentucky struggled with turnovers, exceeding their average within the first half itself.
Looking Ahead
As the teams head into their next games, Kentucky will face off against Texas A&M on Thursday, while Texas is set to visit No. 7 Vanderbilt on the same day. Fans can stay updated on the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season.
This match highlighted the resilience of the Longhorns even in a less productive second half, reinforcing their position as a formidable contender in women’s college basketball.
