Austin, Tx— Madison Booker recorded a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Taylor Jones added 19 points to lead No. 1 seed Texas to a dominant 105-61 victory over No. 16 William & Mary in the opening round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday night.
By the end of the third quarter, Booker had already secured her double-double, helping the Longhorns (32-3) advance to a second-round matchup against No. 8 Illinois (22-9), who defeated No. 9 Creighton earlier in the day. Texas is a No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year after claiming a share of the Southeastern Conference championship and finishing the regular season ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2004.
Booker, the league’s Player of the Year and an All-American, led her team in the victory.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the beginning of the game was anything but easy for the Longhorns. William & Mary (16-19), making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, came out with a fast-paced, high-energy attack that initially caught Texas off guard.
“We looked like we hadn’t played in two weeks,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer admitted. “We’ve had a long layoff, but I have to give them credit. That team was fearless. That’s what I want my team to be.”
At the end of the first quarter, William & Mary trailed just 23-18, but Texas gradually took control, using its considerable size advantage to dominate the game. The Longhorns’ strength in the post, with Jones and Kyla Oldacre, along with Booker’s presence on the wing, was overwhelming. Oldacre finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, providing another key contribution.
“When Taylor and Kyla are at their best, they’re tough to stop,” Booker said. “One subs out, and another comes in. It’s a big advantage.”
Texas’ momentum grew as the game progressed. Bryanna Preston scored a fast-break layup, Oldacre powered through two defenders for a basket, and Booker scored twice as the Longhorns surged to an 18-point lead, asserting themselves as the dominant team on the floor.
William & Mary’s Bella Nascimento led her team with 19 points and reflected on their performance. “We came out swinging, fighting to stay in the game,” she said. Despite the loss, the Tribe showed resilience and heart in their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Takeaways
William & Mary: Despite a quick exit from the tournament, William & Mary’s first NCAA appearance was a memorable one, highlighted by their First Four victory over High Point. The Tribe was the only team in this year’s tournament with a losing record, but coach Erin Dickerson Davis and her players have laid a foundation for future success. After the game, the team celebrated together on the court.
“We’re so happy to have had this season, and I’m proud of these girls,” Dickerson Davis said. “They’ve set a standard, and now we have a taste of what’s possible.”
Texas: While the Longhorns won by a commanding margin, they were far from perfect. Texas struggled with sloppy passes and defensive lapses, particularly in leaving open shooters from the perimeter. Though they never faced a serious threat from William & Mary, coach Schaefer acknowledged there’s much to improve as the competition intensifies.
“We’ll need to play better,” Schaefer said. “I don’t think anyone in my locker room thought we played very well, and yet we win by 40.”
Key Stat:
Texas may have only made three 3-pointers in the game, but they dominated in the paint, outscoring William & Mary 56-22 inside.
