The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team, which scored 18 points from Madison Booker across the nation and 13 points from Lori Harmon, held back the lively TCU Horn Frog Squad (58-47) to punch tickets to the Final Four. This will be the Lady Longhorns’ first trip to the Final Four in 22 years.
Booker and Harmon had big games, but UT got a big contribution across the court, especially from Kyla All-Acre, who scored nine points from the bench. Haley Van Liss led the TCU with 17 points.
The victory was particularly sweet for Harmon, who tore through the long and painful paths of last season and endured last year. She had to watch last season as Texas was beaten in the Elite 8 by NC State. This year, Harmon was a point guard engine that attacks and defends UTs.
“I’ve gone through recovery and am thinking of coming back in 10 months,” Harmon said after the game. “I’m so proud of myself and at this moment I’m proud of my team,” Booker added, “Lori Harmon is still that girl. Don’t doubt it here.”
Texas took the lead early and extended their advantage to up to nine points in the first half. However, the Frog cut UT’s lead to just two points at halftime, 23-21.
TCU tied the game with just five minutes left in the third quarter. However, the Longhorns ended the quarter with a 13-4 run and controlled the game. TCU was able to cut leads to six with two or more minuts. However, the Lady Longhorns performed a stretch for an 11-point victory and a trip to the Final Four.
Texas is about to win their second national championship in women’s basketball. The Lady Longhorns were undefeated in 1986 under legendary coach Jody Conratt.
Texas will face South Carolina in the national semi-finals. The co-sec regular season champion has played three times this season, with the Gamecocks winning two of the three. The last four are in Tampa, Florida.
