Texas Defeats Tennessee 67-59 to Advance to Elite Eight

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Texas Longhorns secured their place in the Elite Eight with a hard-fought 67-59 victory over the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on March 29, 2025.

Texas, the top seed in the region, relied on standout performances from SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, who scored 17 points, and contributions from teammates Jordan Lee and Taylor Jones, who added 13 and 12 points, respectively. The Longhorns’ defensive strategy prevailed against the high-scoring Lady Vols, limiting them to just nine points in the decisive fourth quarter.

“We’ve been in these battles enough,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “We know what it takes. When you’re tired or maybe in that moment of the last four or five minutes, that’s when you don’t rise to the occasion; you fall back on your fundamentals.”

The game, held at the Legacy Arena, drew an enthusiastic crowd of 11,433. With this victory, Texas improved its record to 34-3, continuing its strong season. The Longhorns will next face TCU, who reached the Elite Eight for the first time in their program’s history.

Tennessee, the fifth seed, fought valiantly throughout the game, with Ruby Whitehorn leading the team with 16 points. The Lady Vols managed to keep pace with Texas, holding a slight advantage in rebounds (39-36) and second-chance points (15 to Texas’s five).

Despite falling behind at times, Tennessee climbed back into contention, with Whitehorn contributing key baskets. However, Texas controlled the game’s final moments, demonstrating their signature defensive prowess by forcing four turnovers in the last five minutes and stifling the Lady Vols’ offense.

“I was proud of how hard we played,” Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell said. “A key point for us was rebounding, and we did our part there. It’s just that Texas did a great job of forcing us into tough shots.”

In a gripping fourth quarter, Texas shifted gears as Booker scored seven of her points, ensuring the Longhorns maintained their lead. “We didn’t want this to be our last game,” senior guard Rori Harmon stated. “We talked about accountability and leadership. We were all in it together, pushing each other to avoid mistakes.”

The Lady Vols have made their mark in NCAA history with this being their 43rd consecutive tournament appearance, a record unmatched in Division I women’s college basketball. They displayed resilience and skill, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the sport.

The matchup highlighted the intense competition within women’s college basketball. For Texas, it exemplified a successful season in a challenging SEC, and for Tennessee, it showcased their continued legacy in the NCAA tournament.

The Longhorns will look to capitalize on their momentum as they advance, while the Lady Vols will regroup for next season, aiming to build on their historic run.